FIFA Ensures That São Paulo Stadium Will Be Ready For World Cup

FIFA said that São Paulo's World Cup stadium "will be ready on time," less than 24 hours "after warning the city it could lose the right to stage matches because of delays in building the new arena," according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. FIFA said that "it had reached a settlement with stadium owners Corinthians the day after the two parties were involved in a public disagreement." Corinthians President Andres Sanchez promised "to have the stadium completed on the originally agreed date" of Dec. 31. Sanchez said, "This was an excellent meeting. There was some misunderstanding but São Paulo and Corinthinas are aware of their responsibilities." FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke agreed the two sides "had made up at Wednesday's meeting." Valcke said, "We are very satisfied with the meeting and with the fact that we could talk face to face. São Paulo will be an example for other cities to deliver the stadium in time, by December 31" (REUTERS, 5/15).