MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fifa admits delays in three stadiums but is confident all will be ready by June

”I am an optimist. But remember optimists live better and longer. So we go on with optimism in the future” said Blatter

Fifa has admitted that not all of the stadiums for the Brazil World Cup will be ready in time for its original deadline of January. But Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, said he was confident all 12 stadiums would be ready when the tournament kicks off in June following a meeting with the local organizing committee.

 “We have just received a report. There are some small delays in construction. But so small that with one exception we can say everything is ready,” said Blatter.

Fifa general secretary, Jerome Valcke, said the stadium in Curitiba, which is the most behind schedule, would not be ready until the end of February and that extra resources would be devoted to its completion.

“It’s a question of trust and confidence when we go into a big event like a Fifa World Cup. We have to express our trust and confidence in the government, the state government, the different cities,” said Blatter. “I am an optimist. But remember optimists live better and longer. So we go on with optimism in the future.”

The collapse of a crane at the new Corinthians stadium in Sao Paolo last week, killing two construction workers, raised fresh concerns. But the Brazilian deputy sports minister, Luis Fernandes, said the accident would not prevent the stadium being delivered by the January deadline.

“We are very sorry for the accident that took place during the Corinthians stadium construction in Sao Paulo. We will have a detailed report ready at the end of this week, allowing us to replan,” he said.

“All the indications are that there will be no losses to the schedule in order to guarantee we have feasible time for all the preparation work.”

Blatter also faced renewed questions over security following the protests that swept Brazil during the Confederations Cup over lack of investment in social services and the money being spent on World Cup.

“Security is a matter of the state and the country. It is a matter of the guarantees given by the government when a World Cup is assigned,” said Blatter.

“In comparison to what happened in the Confederations Cup I can only say that finally the security worked well and football was the winner.”

Fernandes said the Confederations Cup was a success, giving confidence for the World Cup.