League Notes: Palestine FA Expresses Interest In Hosting 2017 FIFA Congress

The Palestine FA is competing to host FIFA's annual congress in '17. FIFA said that Palestine "is among 10 members expressing interest" in hosting in '17, and 14 have proposed hosting the '16 congress (AP, 7/22). ... Despite intense lobbying, the French Sports ministry has confirmed that "the ban on Mixed Martial Arts will remain, blocking hopes that UFC could make inroads in the country." Last year, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta called France a "massive opportunity." The French ministry "reconfirmed its stand" and said, "The practice of MMA is not allowed and its events/shows are not permitted" (ESPN, 7/22). ... The Int'l Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) "has provisionally suspended the Amateur Boxing Association of England and asked its disciplinary panel to review the case." The AIBA said it "could not tolerate the serious violations committed." The AIBA "did not specify details" (AP, 7/22).