Mineirão Stadium Operator Fined $500,000 For Series Of Faults In Stadium Inauguration

Minas Arena, the operator of the Mineirão stadium, was fined R$1M ($500,000) by the Mineiro state government for a series of faults that took place in the inauguration of the stadium over the weekend, according to PORTAL 2014. State official Tiago Lacerda said that the government found "acceptable and unacceptable" faults in the operation of the stadium located in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Minas Arena had guaranteed that the arena "would be in condition to receive the rivalry game between Cruzeiro and Atlético-MG" over the weekend but this was not the case according to Lacerda. Some of the "unacceptable" problems were the lack of running water and toilet paper in the bathrooms, and the fact that concession stands were closed. Minas Arena President Ricardo Barra "apologized to fans" on Monday (PORTAL 2014, 2/4). LANCE NET's João Carlos Assumpção reported FIFA "did not take the news well" and has asked the World Cup Local Organizing Committee for "explanations" (LANCE NET, 2/5).