Saturday, March 1, 2014

Brazil has left FIFA with a huge challenge says Valcke

By Brian Homewood



ZURICH Sat Mar 1, 2014 10:51am EST







<span id="articleText"><span id="midArticle_start"/> ZURICH (Reuters) - FIFA has been left with a huge challenge following Brazilian delays in building stadiums for the 2014 World Cup, secretary general Jerome Valcke said Saturday.



<span id="midArticle_1"/>"We are working in conditions where the cement is not even dry," Valcke told reporters as Tuesday's 100-days-to-kickoff milestone approaches.



<span id="midArticle_2"/>"We still have to install all the IT solutions for the media. Without IT and without the telecommunications in place in the stadium you will say we are the worst organizers and it was the worst event.



<span id="midArticle_3"/>"But to install the IT in a stadium, it needs at least 90 days and we have to work for all the people who have an interest, our commercial partners, our media partners, hospitality......



<span id="midArticle_4"/>"The ball starts rolling on June 12 until July 13 and I think things will work well then but it is also true that whenever you receive something late, it becomes a challenge to make it ready in time," Valcke added.



<span id="midArticle_5"/>"I am not a World Cup specialist but I will say this has not been easy for sure," he told reporters gathered after a meeting of the annual International Football Association Board, the game's law-making meeting.



<span id="midArticle_6"/>"We are almost at 100 days before the first game starts in a stadium in Sao Paulo which is still not ready and won't be ready until May 15.



<span id="midArticle_7"/>"And as you know another two stadiums (in Curitiba and Manaus) are quite late."



<span id="midArticle_8"/>BACKSIDE KICK



<span id="midArticle_9"/>Two years ago this weekend Valcke delivered his famous "Brazil needs a kick up the backside" line which incensed the local organizing committee, but certainly had something of the desired impact.



<span id="midArticle_10"/>Asked if the Brazilians now needed another kick up the backside, Valcke deflected the question.



<span id="midArticle_11"/>"Ask me that when the World Cup is over," he replied.



<span id="midArticle_12"/>"We have already had to put things in place and it is very last minute work, but it will work at the end. It will work, and you will have what you expect and the teams will have the best.



<span id="midArticle_13"/>"For sure, the stadiums are beautiful but now it is a challenge for the organizers. And that is not a criticism. It is just a challenge. We have to find the solutions."



<span id="midArticle_14"/>(Editing by Mike Collett)



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