Blatter plays down concerns over Brazil 2014 work

World football chief Sepp Blatter has played down concerns over delays to renovation work being carried out on the stadiums which will host the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Work on 12 sites was scheduled to begin in May 2010 but in several cases has been delayed, causing concern the stadia will not be finished by the December 31, 2012 deadline.

FIFA president Blatter gave his full backing to the organisers.

“There are a few problems, just like there were in the early stages for Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010,” Blatter told Lance sports daily.

“If there were no problems, then we could start staging the matches as of tomorrow!”

He added: “For the moment, I’m happy with the progress of the work. I’ve no doubt it will be a hugely successful World Cup.

“I’m confident and I’m certain that Brazil will have no problem organising the event.”

Renovation work on the legendary Maracana stadium has already started and will cost 400 million dollars (310 million euros).

The only drawback is the stadium’s capacity will be reduced from 88,000 to 83,000.

Brazil hosted its one and only World Cup in 1950.