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13+ hour, 8+ min ago (81+ words) Israel has been allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest after a showdown in Geneva that prompted major European nations to announce boycotts of next year's competition. Dutch national ... Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial. Premium & FT Weekend Print FT Weekend newspaper delivered Saturday plus complete digital access. Check whether you already have access via your university or organisation. Explore our full range of subscriptions....

14+ hour, 6+ min ago (866+ words) By JAMEY KEATEN and JILL LAWLESS The announcements came after the body that runs Eurovision met to discuss concerns about Israel's participation, which is opposed by some countries due to its conduct of the'war in Gaza. Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said that the participation of Israel "is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster." Spain's state broadcaster RTVE said Thursday that the country is pulling out of Eurovision after the body that runs the contest voted to let Israel participate in 2026. "We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN in Eurovision 2026," said RTVE's Secretary General Alfonso Morales during the European Broadcasting Union's general assembly. The pullouts came after members of the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes'Eurovision, voted to adopt tougher voting rules in response to allegations that Israel manipulated…...

21+ hour, 22+ min ago (83+ words) All the updates as Barca beat fellow title contenders Atletico at Camp Nou to go four points clear at top of La Liga. All the updates as Barca beat fellow title contenders Atletico at Camp Nou to go four points clear at the top of La Liga. By Patrick Keddie and Kevin Hand This page is now closed, but a summary of the football game is available below, and you can click'here'for our full match report. Thanks for joining us at'Al Jazeera Sport....

1+ day, 5+ hour ago (712+ words) The 2026 World Cup presented an opportunity for more teams than ever before to reach the finals. In North America, 48 nations will take part, up from 32 at Qatar 2022. That number had remained the same for seven consecutive tournaments. The expanded numbers have generally meant a more serene path to the finals for the traditional heavyweights. As the list below shows, Italy (ranked 12th) were the only country in FIFA's top 20 not to have guaranteed their place prior to the final round of playoffs in March 2026. At the same time, three countries outside the world's top 80 will be at the finals, ready to make their appeals to footballing romantics the world over. Here, The Sporting News breaks down the full FIFA rankings for every country at the World Cup, along with those of the teams still hoping to get there through the UEFA…...

1+ day, 9+ hour ago (1064+ words) With nothing finalized and the next few weeks expected to be decisive for the future of European basketball, Barcelona has moved closer to the EuroLeague....

1+ day, 10+ hour ago (300+ words) Frenkie de Jong was a surprise absence from the squad list for FC Barcelona earlier this week when they took on Atletico Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou. Having missed the Deportivo Alaves clash due to personal reasons, the Dutchman was tipped to start against Los Rojiblancos, but was left out of the squad as he was suffering from a fever. Now, according to journalist Javi Miguel of AS, De Jong has recovered from his fever and is currently at Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva training facilities. This is a positive development for the Blaugrana as they get set to take on Real Betis away from home on Saturday. Considering that Dani Olmo has been ruled out with injury and Fermin Lopez is also recovering from a blow, depth in the midfield department becomes critical for Barcelona, who are already without Gavi....

1+ day, 16+ hour ago (241+ words) At a time when he was looking like the real deal for Barcelona, the football gods have once again cursed Dani Olmo. The former RB Leipzig playmaker has picked up a fresh injury, which will keep him out on the sidelines for at least a month. This is a major blow for Barcelona, but even more so for Olmo, whose return to Catalonia has been marred by a series of untimely injuries. The frequency of these injuries is enough to demotivate any professional footballer. But Olmo is not ready to give up just yet. After the confirmation of his injury, Olmo shared a message to his fans and teammates through social media. The Spanish international thanked his fans and stated that the injury won't stop him from fighting for the team. While it is clear that Olmo is devastated by…...

2+ day, 9+ hour ago (522+ words) MADRID " Barcelona increased its Spanish league lead by coming from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Tuesday, with Dani Olmo scoring the go-ahead goal but hurting his shoulder in the process. Olmo injured his left shoulder in a fall after sending a left-footed strike into the net in the 65th minute for Barcelona's second goal at Camp Nou stadium. Atletico had opened the scoring with "lex Baena, and Raphinha equalized for the hosts in the first half. Olmo was in visible pain after going down and couldn't celebrate the goal that left Barcelona four points ahead of Real Madrid. The Barcelona playmaker was immediately substituted and had to be assisted off the field by the club's medical staff. The 19th-round match was moved forward because the teams will be playing in the Spanish Super Cup in January. Real Madrid and Athletic…...

2+ day, 14+ hour ago (192+ words) A head-turning update on the future of Marcus Rashford at Barcelona beyond next summer has come to the fore early this week. This comes amid the revelation that, as things stand, the Englishman returning to Manchester United following the term's conclusion is considered likely. The info comes courtesy of The Athletic, who assure that: "If Marcus Rashford ends up leaving after his loan, which is the most probable scenario, Barca could be after a replacement.' Rashford is for his part of course in the midst of what has been a productive loan spell to date in La Liga. After joining Barcelona with a view to acting as a versatile backup across the frontline for the duration of the campaign, the injury woes in Hansi Flick's squad saw the 28-year-old cast into a leading role. And Rashford has responded in impressive…...

2+ day, 20+ hour ago (686+ words) Spain host Germany in Madrid on Tuesday with the tie level at 0-0 after a tense first leg Aitana Bonmati has suffered a broken left fibula in training and is ruled out of the final Coach Sonia Bermudez says the squad were "down" after the injury but remain united Germany are also missing several Euro 2025 standouts, including Oberdorf and Schuller Spain will defend their UEFA Women's Nations League crown on Tuesday at the Metropolitano Stadium, but the build-up to the second leg in Madrid has been overshadowed by a devastating setback " the loss of one of the world's best players just 48 hours before kick-off. Three-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati suffered a broken leg during training on Sunday and has been ruled out of the decisive second leg against Germany. The opening match in Germany finished 0-0 on Friday, leaving everything at…...