Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday reiterated his "deep admiration" for pro-Palestinian protesters who forced the final stage of the Vuelta cycling race to be abandoned over the weekend.

He also said Israel should be barred from international sporting competitions "as long as the barbarism continues" in Gaza, like Russian sport teams were penalised after Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine. Despite sharp criticism from the main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP), Sanchez has maintained his stance, as he sought to position himself as a leading European supporter of the Palestinian cause.