By David Gold
April 2 – Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana, which is intended to host the final of 2014 World Cup, will need a new roof, Brazil Football Federation President Ricardo Teixeira has confirmed.
Doubts are now increasing over whether the stadium can play a part in the 2013 Confederations Cup, with the finish date now set to be delayed on its construction.
Teixeira discussed the problems facing the ground earlier in the week when responding to FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s criticism of the country’s slow progress in preparing for the Confederation and World Cups.
The Brazilian football chief said the new roof would now be required due to “unexpected” problems with the current roof.
Officials had found signs of deterioration in some materials used for the current roof, but a study confirmed that it would need to be replaced, as engineers would find it easier than fixing the existing one.
The renovation of the stadium, which is also to be used during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, may now rise by over £100 million.
Meanwhile, the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus will enter the second stage of construction later this month, in what will be one of the 2014 World Cup’s most spectacular venues, located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
The stadium is due for completion in early 2013, well in time for the Confederations Cup later that year.
Work will begin with the placement of concrete structures to support the stands, as the construction company gets to work on the blocks required, as well as the manufacture of inclined girders to support steps at the Arena.
With work on the foundations underway, the stadium is boosting the local economy, providing jobs for 385 professionals currently at work on its construction, with another 150 to be taken on later this week.
Throughout 2011, almost 1,000 people will have been employed on the construction of the venue.
Manaus is one of the most symbolic cities in Brazil, and the capital of Amazonas.
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