Spanish league appeals FIFA switch of 2022 World Cup dates

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) The Spanish football league is challenging FIFA's to switch the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to November-December.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport says the Spanish league (LFP) has filed an appeal against the FIFA decision, which avoids the Qatari summer heat.

The court has not set a hearing date.

A November-December tournament would shut down top European leagues for eight peak weeks and require more summer fixtures.

It is the first formal legal challenge to moving the World Cup in Qatar from the traditional June-July slot.

FIFA's executive committee approved the change in March, 18 months after requesting a global consultation.

The Spanish league is a member of the European Professional Football Leagues group, which was consulted.

FIFA rejected a European clubs and leagues proposal to play in May-June.

Spanish sports newspaper As quoted LFP President Javier Tebas as saying he had filed the lawsuit ''in defense of the interests of the clubs that are contributing to the international teams.''

According to As, Tebas submitted three independent expert reports to CAS which concluded that the LFP would lose 65 million euros ($71.6 million) by moving the World Cup to the winter.

Calls to the LFP went unanswered Sunday.