Mixed martial arts has effectively been banned in France under new regulations on combat sports.The sport, which has grown in popularity via the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), finds itself in breach of several clauses in a new report published by the French Sports Ministry.MMA is not mentioned by name but the sports national federation, the CFMMA, has promised a legal challenge to the decision.In a press release headed Decree relating to technical regulations and security for public combat sport events, the sports ministry lays out several rules governing such events.The octagonal cage used for MMA bouts would be prohibited by a clause which states: Fights will take place on a carpet or in a ring with three or four ropes. The corners of the ring will be protected.The report goes on to outlaw several of the techniques integral to MMA.It states: The following techniques are strictly outlawed and will lead to immediate disqualification:Punches, kicks or strikes with the knees against a fighter on the ground; any strike with the elbow; headbutts; blows to the genitals, the spine, the back of the head or the throat; putting the fingers in the eyes, mouth or nose; pulling the hair; biting; throwing (the opponent) intentionally onto the head or neck; throwing the opponent out of the ring.Combat sports must also be affiliated to a federation recognised by the state, and the CFMMA does not hold such status. The CFMMAs official website has carried since April 2015 a petition calling for MMA to be recognised by the state.The release prompted an angry response from CFMMA president Bertrand Amoussou.Its amazing given the timing and it is disrespectful, he told LExpress.The Ministry takes us for idiots. All countries have recognised MMA in Europe. except France and Norway.I hoped it would not come to this but the CFMMA will launch a legal action to contest this decree.Custom Red Wings Jersey China . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Red Wings Jerseys China . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. http://www.customredwingsjersey.com/ . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. Terry Sawchuk Jersey Large . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. Custom Red Wings Jerseys .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable.ODESSA, Ukraine -- Manchester United won for the first time in 10 away games in Europe and advanced to the Europa League knockout stage by defeating Zorya Luhansk 2-0 on Thursday.Another defeat and a Feyenoord win in the other Group A match, and United would have been eliminated.But midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryans first goal for United to begin the second half ended the teams frustration, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic came through at the end for his seventh goal in his last six matches.The first goal was magnificent, Ibrahimovic said on MUTV. He came in speed and had control all the way. Then the timing to put between the legs was beautiful. He killed the game by scoring.United was second in the group to Fenerbahce, which beat Feyenoord 1-0 courtesy of a Moussa Sow bicycle-kick goal.A group of around 200 United fans heading to the stadium were pelted with bottles and stones by local fans. Police prevented fighting.In another incident, some Ukrainian fans also tried to attack United supporters in the stadium, The Associated Press witnessed. This follows major trouble two nights ago in the capital of Ukraine around the Dynamo Live-Besiktas match.SOUTHAMPTON 1, HAPOEL BEER-SHEVA 1Southampton was eliminated in its maiden Europa League campaign.The sides drew 0-0 in Israel and were tied for second in Group K.Maor Buzaglos goal in the 79th minute made the difference for Hapoel to advance. Virgil Van Dijks equalizer in stoppage time was not enough for Southampton.OTHER ACTIONIn Group G, Celta Vigo progressed with a 2-0 win at Panathinaikos. Striker John Guidetti headed in the opener four minutes into the game, and Fabian Orellana doubled the lead in the second half from the spot.AZ Alkmaar qualified from second place in Group D after beating group winner Zenit St. Petersburg 3-2. Ben Rienstra, Ridgeciano Haps, and Muamer Tankoviic scored for the Dutch side.ddddddddddddGiuliano pulled one back for Zenit, and Stijn Wuytens own goal settled the score.A 0-0 home draw with Group E winner Roma meant Romanias Astra advanced with the Italian club.Saint-Etienne came from two goals down to beat Anderlecht 3-2 and claim Group C, after both had qualified.Fiorentina moved into the knockout stage from the first place in Group J after beating Azerbaijans Qarabag 2-1.Matias Vecinos first goal of the season put Fiorentina 1-0 up an hour in, and substitute forward Reynaldo leveled in the 73rd. But three minutes later, Federico Chiesa netted the winner.PAOK finished second in the group after a 2-0 win over Slovan Liberec.Newcomer Osmanlispor made the round of 32 by beating Zurich 2-0 and finishing top of Group L.Spanish side Villarreal was also through after beating Steaua 2-1, trailing Turkeys Osmanlispor by one point.Group H winner Shakhtar Donetsk completed its perfect group stage record with a 4-2 away victory at Braga. Captain Taison and defender Serhiy Kryvtsov had two goals each.KAA Gent advanced with a 1-0 win at last place Konyaspor.QUALIFIED BEFOREThirteen other clubs made the knockout stage in the previous rounds. Four sides qualified with two matches to spare: Four-time European Cup winner Ajax, St. Petersburg, Shakhtar Donetsk and Schalke. The qualifiers after five matches were Roma, Anderlecht, APOEL, Athletic Bilbao, Genk, Krasnodar, Olympiakos, Saint-Etienne, and Sparta Prague.Eight other teams who played in the Champions League and finished third in their groups secured a consolation spot in the Europa League: Besiktas, Copenhagen, Legia Warsaw, Ludogorets, Lyon, Borussia Moenchengladbach, Rostov, and Tottenham. ' ' '