Football Notes: Spanish Footballers' Association Asks To Move Up Copa Del Rey Round Of 16

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) on Monday requested that the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey be moved up from Dec. 20-22 to Dec. 14, given that the only competition the week of Dec. 14 is the Club World Cup. AFE President Luis Rubiales said, "We believe that if this is possible, it would be positive because it would allow players to extend their rest with their families, something that is indispensable not only for physical rest but also for mental rest" (MARCA, 10/17).

Bahamas, host of the 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup, "will also host the 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship." That competition "will qualify two teams to the World Cup finals, alongside hosts Bahamas." The 16-team CONCACAF championship will be played Feb. 20-26, while the World Cup kicks off two months later, April 27-May 7 (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 10/17).