Valcke Puts In Doubt Plans Of Six Cities Hosting Confederations Cup Matches After Recife Visit

FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke "put in doubt" the realization of the 2013 Confederations Cup in six cities, according to REUTERS. The stadium in Recife "is the one that has caused the most worry" amongst the six scheduled to host the competition next summer. The company in charge of construction for the stadium revealed that 64% of the work is finished. Valcke said, "At the moment, we are not at the level of having six stadiums ready for the Confederations Cup." The arenas in Fortaleza and Belo Horizonte are the two most advanced, both "more than" 80% finished (REUTERS, 10/16). In São Paulo, Marcel Rizzo reported that the "main problem" for the Arena Pernambuco in Recife is the fact that the stadium is scheduled to be finished by Feb. 28, three-and-a-half months before the start of the Confederations Cup. The Local Organizing Committee "requires a period of three to four months" once the stadiums are finished to grow the grass, as well as adding the VIP, press and sponsor areas. FIFA said that on Nov. 8 it would announce a decision on the cities that will host the Confederations Cup games (FOLHA DE S. PAULO, 10/17).