MADRID (AP) — Spanish Vuelta organizers on Monday defended their decision to keep an Israel-based team in the cycling race despite pro-Palestinian protests that ultimately provoked chaotic scenes in a disrupted finale in Madrid this weekend.

Sunday's final stage had to be cut short after protesters threw barriers onto the road and clashed with police near the finish line in the Spanish capital.

The Vuelta race director condemned calls for the boycott of the three-week-long race that became a diplomatic battleground as protesters called for team Israel Premier Tech to be expelled.

Javier Guillén said there was nothing organizers could have done regarding the presence of the Israeli team.

“The Vuelta's position was clear, we had to abide to the norms of the International Cycling Union. I

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