Constructors say the roof of the stadium hosting the World Cup opener in a few weeks will not be fully finished, according a report from AP.
Construction company in charge of the project, Odebrecht, confirmed Friday that a section of the roof at the Itaquerao will be finished after the World Cup. With just a few weeks to the opening ceremony of the global soccer fiesta, there is inadequate for installation of the glass covers that should supposedly be added to the sides of the stadium’s roofing structure. This situation prompted Odebrecht and local organisers to postpone the work until after the tournament.
However, Odebrecht said the missing covers will not affect fans watching matches in the stadium.
Odebrecht said in an email sent to The Associated Press that the glass covers will only be installed after the World Cup because "transparency studies" were still being finalized to make sure the covers can allow the passage of the proper amount of light needed to "preserve the pitch in good conditions."
The company said the roof itself is ready and guaranteed that the covers are not essential even though they were part of the initial project.
Some reports said the glass covers were needed to help protect fans from rain, but Odebrecht denied that their absence would keep fans uncovered. The company had already said that not all fans seating behind the goals will be fully covered from rain during the World Cup.
The Itaquerao is one of the three
stadiums yet to be completed ahead of the World Cup. Late last year, two
workers died after a crane collapsed while hoisting a huge roofing structure,
causing significant construction delays at the venue that was expected to be
ready by the end of last year.
In his latest visit to Brazil last
month, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said there was "not a
minute" to waste if local organizers wanted to make sure the Itaquerao was
ready for the opener.
