France Update – Decree Bans MMA Rules

France Update - Undemocratic Sports Minister Decree Bans MMA Rules - IMMAF

"A ministerial decree sets new conditions for organizing public demonstrations of combat sports, taking care to exclude the popular but maligned MMA, in a move against the legalization awaited by fans.

"In the endless fight that pits the French State against apologists for mixed martial arts (MMA), the Ministry of Sports has unleashed a neat hook in the side of those who had hoped for some relaxation of existing restrictions."

When I first started reading this I thought, this has to be about saving other sports. Then I got to this part:
"In the media, the Minister of Sport has maintained a very firm anti-MMA line, influenced, some say, by the President of the French Judo Federation Jean-Luc Rougé. Others report that Braillard’s interest in the matter is the resurrection of pro boxing."

Got to hand it to Norway for a consistent stance with a good reason: "Thus, the prohibition made in France today is an exception in the world. Only Thailand (to protect its national sport more than anything else) and Norway (historically opposed to all sports involving a KO) are in the same situation."

Herr Sturmtruppenführer said:

I was under the impression it had been illegal in France for a long time/always.

Click to expand...

It has, but I think a lot people believed it was going to be legalized soon due to its popularity. This is a step back for that process - basically a fresh rule that continues to disallow MMA.

Continued
France upholds ban on MMA | The MMA Community Forum

BUMP

View: https://mobile.twitter.com/DamonMartin/status/1143627203642626050

France has finally decided to cash in