FIFA Prepares Alternatives if Curitiba is Excluded from World Cup

02/13/2014 - 09h13

FIFA is preparing alternatives to relocate the World Cup matches scheduled to take place at the Arena da Baixada, a stadium at risk of being excluded from hosting Cup games.

Folha learned that the organization has outlined plans to distribute matches among the other 11 hosts of the Cup for the four games that would be in Curitiba.

In these projects, FIFA is trying to avoid as much as possible any dismantling of the logistical plans put in place by national teams, who have already set there accommodations and have practically nailed down their movements within the country.

Arena da Baixada, Curitiba

The idea, therefore, is that the four matches are transferred to nearby venues - stadiums preferably in the southeast and south.

The alternative plans, however, are treated with confidentiality by the federation.

The creation of these alternatives comes about because, within FIFA, the situation with slow reformation projects at Arena da Baixada is considered very serious.

The assessment is that, if getting ready for the World Cup, the stadium in Paraná will be much worse than the Arena Pernambuco in 2013 - the stadium in Recife was plagued by several flaws during the Confederations Cup.

Charles Botta, the FIFA consultant who inspected the Arena da Baixada two weeks ago, made three charges: considerable progress in the work schedule, 40% increase in the number of employees and a financial guarantee that the stadium will have the resources to be completed.

The monetary issue, incidentally, was dealt with yesterday.

The Paraná Government requested a loan of R$65 million (US$26.8 million) from the BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development) for the remaining work on the Arena da Baixada. Atletico-PR, the stadium's owners, reported that it only has enough cash for projects up to the end of February, necessitating the request for more funding.

When contacted, FIFA stated that it did not enter into speculation and still awaits the final report on the Arena da Baixada.

Translated by STEVE HUGHES

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