Further delays to two 2014 World Cup host stadia projects were revealed this week, with Porto Alegre's Beira Rio development continuing in a state of suspended animation as the stadium's managers, Brazilian Championship club Sport Club Internacional, await the sale of its old facility the 'Eucaliptos' as well as the clarification of special tax rules that would reduce the required investment by 30%. This all despite the fact that the project was at one time scheduled to begin at the end of 2008. Although some minor works have begun, FIFA's March 2010 deadline for the beginning of the main project is now looking a very tough ask.
The second delay occurred in Recife, the capital of President Lula's north-eastern home state Pernambuco, where the tender process for the primary construction contract for the Arena Capibaribe has been delayed by almost two months following a decision by the Federal Public Ministry to change parts of the tender requirements, allowing more groups to submit bids but forcing the submission date to be moved to late March. The start date for construction has also been put back by two months, from March to May, however the organising committee remains adamant that the completion deadline of December 2012 will still be met.
The same deadline for the Beira Rio project, December 2012, also remains, despite the ongoing impasse. The dates for the World Cup 2014 will certainly not change.