[2014 World Cup] FIFA Warns Brazil Over Delayed Venue

According to reports online, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke is giving Brazilian organisers only four weeks to show that the stadium in Curitiba will be ready in time for the World Cup. Valcke showed real concern about the pace of construction at the Arena da Baixada after visiting the southern city on Tuesday, saying that work there is badly late. The Frenchman remains hopeful the stadium will make it, but declined to guarantee it will be part of the tournament that begins in June. Valcke said local organisers have until February 18 to demonstrate that the work can be completed in time. ”What we are expecting is that these technicians will work from now up to February 18 and by February 18 they will say, ‘OK, guys, it’s fine,”’ Valcke said. Most of the delay at the venue, which is about 90% completed, was blamed on difficulties getting the needed funding for the construction. The stadium is being built mainly by local club Atletico Paranaense. “For the time being, I trust that the decisions that have been made today will give us Curitiba as one of the host cities,” Valcke told a news conference. “It will be a difficult birth, but at the end we will have a baby.” - See more at: