6 Mar 2013

FIFA frets over Maracana stadium

12:04 pm on 6 March 2013

FIFA's secretary-general says Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium is FIFA's main worry as Brazil prepares to host the Confederations Cup in June.

Jerome Valcke says the famous Maracana, which he is due to visit at the end of the week, is preying on his mind.

FIFA has said the six stadiums which will host matches in the Confederations Cup, considered a dress rehearsal for the 2014 World Cup, must be ready by mid-April.

The Maracana, built for the 1950 World Cup and remodelled several times since, was due for completion in December but the deadline was put back to February and then April.

The latest rebuilding work started in 2010 at a cost of almost $550million.

It is due to re-open with a friendly between Brazil and England on June the 3rd.