FIFA Secretary General: Venues may not be ready for World Cup

Jerome Valcke said yesterday that Brazil may not be “totally ready” for the start of the 2014 World Cup because of building delays. The stadiums in Porto Alegre and São Paulo are still not finished whilst minor work continues to take place at other arenas. The tournament is due to start on 12 June but […]
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sambafoot_admin
2014-04-03 17:52:00

Jerome Valcke said yesterday that Brazil may not be “totally ready” for the start of the 2014 World Cup because of building delays.

The stadiums in Porto Alegre and São Paulo are still not finished whilst minor work continues to take place at other arenas.

The tournament is due to start on 12 June but Valcke insisted there is “no way” that fixtures will be postponed.

“If you want me to summarise, we are not ready.”

“We have two stadiums where there is still work to do,” said the Frenchman.

“Maybe there will be things which will not be totally ready at the beginning of the World Cup, but the most important thing for the 32 teams is the training camp and fields.”

“All of this will be there to ensure you have football,” added the 53-year-old.

Problems that have plagued Brazil’s preparation for this summer’s showpiece event continued last week when a construction worker fell to his death at São Paulo’s Arena Corinthians, which is due to host the opening match between Brazil and Croatia.

A total of eight workmen have already died working on World Cup stadiums.

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