Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Player Wins Silver Medal at 2023 IMMAF World Championships

Saudi mixed martial arts player Malik Basahel won the silver medal in the World Championships hosted by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in the Albanian capital, Tirana. (SPA)
Saudi mixed martial arts player Malik Basahel won the silver medal in the World Championships hosted by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in the Albanian capital, Tirana. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Player Wins Silver Medal at 2023 IMMAF World Championships

Saudi mixed martial arts player Malik Basahel won the silver medal in the World Championships hosted by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in the Albanian capital, Tirana. (SPA)
Saudi mixed martial arts player Malik Basahel won the silver medal in the World Championships hosted by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in the Albanian capital, Tirana. (SPA)

Saudi mixed martial arts player Malik Basahel won the silver medal in the World Championships hosted by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in the Albanian capital, Tirana, from November 20 to 25, SPA said on Sunday.
Basahel's silver medal was clinched following a match against Tajik athlete Loyg Akramov, with the judges' decision in the under 56.7 kg category.
The national team player expressed his joy at securing the first silver medal in his inaugural international appearance with the national team.
Basahel also extended his gratitude to the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation (SMMAF) for its unwavering support during the training camp and preparations for the global competition.



Pro-Palestinian Supporters Stage Protest at French Football Federation over Israel Game

This photograph taken on June 3, 2024, shows logos of the French Football Federation (FFF) during a press conference to announce the pre-selection of the players who will take part in the upcoming training camp of France's men's Olympic football team, at the FFF headquarters in Paris. (AFP)
This photograph taken on June 3, 2024, shows logos of the French Football Federation (FFF) during a press conference to announce the pre-selection of the players who will take part in the upcoming training camp of France's men's Olympic football team, at the FFF headquarters in Paris. (AFP)
TT

Pro-Palestinian Supporters Stage Protest at French Football Federation over Israel Game

This photograph taken on June 3, 2024, shows logos of the French Football Federation (FFF) during a press conference to announce the pre-selection of the players who will take part in the upcoming training camp of France's men's Olympic football team, at the FFF headquarters in Paris. (AFP)
This photograph taken on June 3, 2024, shows logos of the French Football Federation (FFF) during a press conference to announce the pre-selection of the players who will take part in the upcoming training camp of France's men's Olympic football team, at the FFF headquarters in Paris. (AFP)

Pro-Palestinian supporters staged a protest Monday at the French football federation to call for the cancellation of a Nations League game between France and Israel this month.

Video footage of their action posted on social media and circulating in French media showed protesters inside the federation's headquarters in Paris lying on the floor or holding placards with political slogans and Palestinian flags.

Some protesters also chanted: “No, no, no to the France-Israel game at the Stade de France.”

The French soccer federation did not immediately respond to a request for comments from The Associated Press.

According to local media, the demonstrators were calmly evacuated by police.

French authorities confirmed last month that the match would go ahead with fans allowed in the stadium after Italy hosted Israel in the same competition without incident despite security concerns.

The Nov. 14 match at the Stade de France will be played against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has spread to Lebanon after more than a year-long war in Gaza.

Israel's match against Italy was the first match the country has played outside neutral Hungary this year. After the Israel-Hamas war started on Oct. 7 last year, the national soccer team played in Kosovo and Andorra last November.

All Israel matches since then have been in Hungary, including a game against Belgium in the Nations League after the Belgian Football Association refused to host the game for security reasons.