I'm Glad Russia Has Only One Private Arena, Says FIFA Secretary General, Jérôme Valcke

04/23/2014 - 09h47

Back to Brazil, and again impatient, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke said the country does not have a second to lose.

Exasperated by the explanations given about the delays to Itaquerão construction works, - the stadium in Sao Paulo that will host the World Cup -, he refused to compare it to South Africa, the 2010 host, where there were also many issues with the late delivery of the venues.

"It doesn't matter if the works in South Africa were ready [or not]. It's important that is ready. 2010 World Cup was four years ago", he reminded.

Yesterday morning, during an inspection at Corinthians arena, Valcke was informed that the first official test with full capacity (68 thousand people) will not be done. Itaquerão will be ready "in the last minute", he said without disguising his discomfort with the situation.

The first match with full house will be the opening game, Brazil vs Croatia, in June 12.

Before that, Corinthians will play against Figueirense, in May 17 (or 18), for the Brazilian Championship. The maximum capacity will be of 50 thousand people.

ODE TO RUSSIA

In the afternoon, during a visit to Curitiba, the Secretary General reminded that the private arenas were the most problematic.

"In Russia [2018], I am glad there will be only one private arena", he stated.

Valcke referred to the stadiums in Curitiba, Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre. The first two are still under construction and should be ready a few weeks before the event.

At Beira-Rio arena, in Porto Alegre, the works around the stadium are late.

The Secretary General stressed the financings of private arenas are different from the public ones, to which the money was released continuously, avoiding delays.

In Curitiba, the late release of public financings combined to the lack of Atlético-PR own resources slowed down the construction of Arena Baixada. The city was almost struck from the list of World Cup venues.

COUNTDOWN

During his speech, the main theme was time, something the organisers do not have. There are only 49 days left to the opening match.

"The schedule is very tight. I'm not a dreamer. I like to see things accomplished. There will be no other choice", he said, after acknowledging the delays.

Itaquerão will be available for Fifa only in May 20, 23 days before the opening.

Murilo Celso de Campos Pinheiro, president of the National Federation of Engineers and of the São Paulo State Engineers' Association told Folha the decision to skip the tests with full capacity was awkward. However, he does not believe it is a safety issue.

"They might be frightened of the accidents that happened [three workers died]. The normal procedure would be testing it with full capacity, but it does not compromise it. If something will happen, it won't change whether there are 50 or 68 thousand people", he analysed.

FOUR TESTS

Corinthians intends to host four test events in Itaquerão before delivering the arena to Fifa, in May 20. According to the stadium's operations director Lucio Blanco, its capacity will be raised gradually.

The first event will be on Saturday, with five thousand children from local schools. The restrooms and part of the structure will be tested.

In May 1, Odebrecht staff will play a match and the arena will hold 10 thousand people. Nine days later, Corinthians players from different generations will join a friendly match, with 35 thousand spectators.

The main test event will be the Brazilian Championship final, Corinthians vs Figueirense. Its full capacity is for 50 thousand people, but the club wants to postpone the match to Sunday 18.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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	Moacyr Lopes Junior/Folhapress
	Back to Brazil, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke said the country does not have a second to lose