"Particularly for ourselves, it paves the way for us to be able to bring the UFC to Saskatcb

England interim manager Gareth Southgate insists Wayne Rooneys absence against Spain was due to a knee injury. Southgate was reacting after The Sun newspaper alleged that the England captain appeared to have been drinking heavily during a night out over the weekend.The 31-year-old started Englands World Cup qualifying win against Scotland on Friday, but a minor knee injury saw him withdraw from the squad to face Spain on Monday evening. Englands interim manager Gareth Southgate (left) talks with Rooney Rooney missed the 2-2 friendly draw at Wembley as a result, but he was still brought up in the post-match press conference.The Sun alleged that Rooney dropped in on a wedding party over the weekend and the paper printed a photo appearing to show the Manchester United forward, sporting an England training top, looking the worse for wear.The Football Association could look into the incident but Southgate insists his absence from Tuesdays match was down to a knock. Man Utd vs Arsenal November 19, 2016, 11:30am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass When asked if Rooneys absence was in any way connected to what emerged from the hotel on Saturday night, Southgate said in his post-match press conference: Wayne was injured. He picked up an injury on Friday, couldnt train Sunday and thats it.Rooney has endured a tough campaign, finding himself in the unusual situation of fighting for his place in the team. Englands interim manager Gareth Southgate (left) talks with Rooney The 31-year-old ended his goal drought in the recent Europa League clash at Fenerbahce and impressed as Manchester United headed into the international break with a 3-1 win at Swansea.Rooney dropped to the bench in last months qualifier in Slovenia and returned to the starting line-up as Scotland were beaten 3-0 at Wembley. Southgate revealed on the eve of the game that he was not intending to start the forward against Spain, regardless of fitness.I wouldnt start Wayne in this game anyway, so well decide which route to go, he said in the pre-match press conference.At times too much of that responsibility has laid with Wayne and we need to share that. There are leaders already and other potential leaders who I think can step forward.And once you have a team full of those players then well have a lot of success.Rooney will now be assessed by Manchester Uniteds medical staff ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Spain fightback stuns England Le Saux to join England panel Southgate: Ive fulfilled remit Dier accuses Herrera Cheap Nike Shoes China Free Shipping . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Nike Shoes Outlet China .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. http://www.chinashoesnike.com/ . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Buy Nike Shoes China .Y. -- Syracuse has turned up the defence at the right time all season, and when High Point threatened to pull off a monumental upset the second-ranked Orange did what they do best with their quick hands and savvy play. Nike Shoes Cheap China . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.REGINA -- Mixed martial arts events will soon be legal in Saskatchewan, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship says thats good for athletes. The government is setting up an athletics commission that will have the authority to sanction professional combative sports, including MMA. "A provincial athletics commission will help ensure the safety of everyone involved in professional combative sport competitions," Saskatchewan Sport Minister Kevin Doherty said Wednesday. The move comes after the House of Commons passed a bill in June legalizing contact sports such as MMA. The legislation makes professional boxing and MMA contests legal in Canada when they have the authorization of a provincial athletics commission. Only boxing was allowed under the old prize-fighting law, leaving combat sports, including taekwondo, karate and MMA in legal limbo. Tom Wright, director of UFC operations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, says it means athletes wont have to move for their sport. Wright points out that MMA fighter Mitch Clarke is from Saskatchewan, but trains in Edmonton because he couldnt compete professionally in his home province. Wright also says having legal fights makes it safer for athletes. "Thats the cornerstone of protecting the health and safety of our athletes is to make sure that the sport is properly regulated. Now that an athletic commission is going to be set up in Saskatchewan,, that will be the case for all organizations that want to hold a mixed martial arts competition," Wright said in a phone interview from Vancouver.dddddddddddd "Particularly for ourselves, it paves the way for us to be able to bring the UFC to Saskatchewan." Wright says there is no timeline yet on when that might happen. Steps are underway to have the commission in Saskatchewan running by next summer. The commission will be responsible for tracking competitors fighting history and ensure safety protocols are enforced. The Saskatchewan Martial Arts Association will sanction and oversee amateur combative sports including mixed martial arts, kickboxing, modified Muay Thai and full-contact karate. The association said in a news release that it will immediately start sanctioning amateur combative sporting events. "By regulating amateur competitions, we help eliminate unsanctioned fights that put athletes at risk," said association president Tim Oehler. MMA is currently sanctioned at a provincial level in British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, while it has been sanctioned on a municipal level within Alberta, New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories. The UFC has held 14 shows to date in Canada, with cards in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Wright has said the UFC will hold a show in Halifax within the next couple of years. ' ' '