Fifa is pleased with Thailand's preparations for next month's Futsal World Cup and not worried about construction delays of the Bangkok Futsal Arena, Thai FA president Worawi Makudi said yesterday.
Thai FA chief Worawi Makudi. FILE PHOTO
The stadium in Nong Chok was not complete before the Oct 20 deadline and both Worawi and World Cup organising committee chairman Suwat Liptapanlop insist that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is to blame.
Speaking at yesterday's organising committee meeting, Worawi said Fifa representatives did not make any complaints when they inspected the arena a few days ago.
Worawi, also a Fifa executive member, said even if the stadium failed to be complete for the tournament, Thailand would not lose credibility because the other three venues are enough to stage the Nov 1-18 World Cup.
The other three stadiums are Hua Mark Indoor Stadium and Nimitbutr Gymnasium in Bangkok and Chatchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Fifa is pleased with Thailand's preparations as the hosts have plans for the other stadiums to stage more games if the Bangkok Futsal Arena is not ready for the tournament, he said.
"I want to reiterate that Fifa is not worried because we have substitution plans," Worawi said.
If the stadium is not complete in time, then the BMA must shoulder responsibility, he said.
The BMA is responsible for construction of the arena which is on its land.
At the meeting, Suwat said the other three stadiums were ready for the tournament.
"Everything is ready for the tournament except for the new stadium," Suwat said.
The BMA must be held responsible because it is the agency which is using the construction budget from the government, he said.
The Bangkok Futsal Arena was originally slated to be the main venue and would host World Cup matches from the first round.
However, Fifa has rearranged the schedule and the arena will host games from the quarter-finals _ if it is approved by the governing body.