This is pretty much the gist of it that I found on their website.

Leave it to the Italians to pussify the rest of the world...
QUOTE
FIGHT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Fight Football League (FFL), is an organization which promotes a new form of entertainment that takes inspiration from an ancient game called "Harpastum".
This very popular game during Roman Empire was practiced as a training for battle, it is the foundation of modern Soccer and Rugby and it is still played once a year since 1500 in Florence, Italy with the name of "Calcio Storico".
Fightfootball takes the essence of these legendary games, introducing innovative rules and equipment to develop a tough but safe nonconventional postmodern form of sport.
In the FFL the objective is to score goal, however, players are aloud to fight their opponents using several fighting techniques. FFL Rules are manifold, it is aloud to fight only one against one, it is not aloud to strike when running or towards whom is running, no hit from the back or on the ground, injuries or KO's can consequence into the elimination of the player.
Footballfighters are athletes coming from different backgrounds, mainly: Calcio Storico, Rugby, Boxing, Wrestling and "Mixed Martial Arts". FFL training is the ultimate workout, a match duration is 48 min and Footballfighters need to be in condition to run and fight to defend themselves, their portion of playing field, their teammate and ultimately score goal.
FFL right holder Wanabe SA, has established an important partnership with Infront Italy a worldwide leading company in the Sport Entertainment Business. The objective of this venture is to promote the sport in Italy and abroad to increase public exposure.
http://www.fightfootball.tv/