With just a few months remaining before the start of the World Cup in Brazil, concerns are mounting over the readiness of the stadiums. A FIFA delegation has begun inspections of the venues, and Corinthians, the club responsible for the Itaquerão stadium, has announced that the stadium will be delivered on April 15th.
Andres Sanchez, former president of Corinthians and in charge of organizing the construction work, cited delays in financing operations and the tragic accident last year that claimed the lives of two workers as factors contributing to the delays. There are issues with the installation of seats, with FIFA seeking precise numbers, and additional structures are still required at the stadium. The president of UEFA, Michel Platini, who is also a member of the FIFA executive committee, acknowledged São Paulo as FIFA’s biggest challenge in terms of stadium readiness.
Sanchez revealed that Corinthians, the city of São Paulo, and the state are exploring solutions to bridge the funding gap of approximately 15 million euros needed to complete the construction.
Tags: Corinthians, FIFA, World Cup 2014, Itaquerão stadium, São Paulo, Michel Platini, stadium readiness