Bangkok's Futsal Arena Gets Red Light From FIFA Eight Days From Competition

The Futsal World Cup in Thailand "descended into chaos" on Tuesday as FIFA said that the tournament's showpiece arena, due to host the final as well as other games, would not be ready in time, according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. The announcement came with the tournament's group stage already under way and only eight days before the Bangkok Futsal Arena, "which has been dogged by delays during construction," was due to host its first games. FIFA said that the games will now be played at alternative venues in the city. FIFA said that the quarterfinal matches scheduled to be played on Nov. 14 would now be played at Bangkok's Nimibutr Stadium, while the semifinals and final would be hosted at Bangkok's Indoor Stadium Huamark (REUTERS, 11/6).  The BANGKOK POST noted the decision to not use the 1.2B baht ($39M) stadium was made "after a thorough evaluation by a FIFA inspection group" (BANGKOK POST, 11/6).