Feb. 17, 2014, 10:59 a.m.<\/p>\n
World Cup travel plans could be in thrown into chaos as the venue for final game is on the cusp of being withdrawn. <\/p>\n
Australia's World Cup travel plans could be in thrown into chaos as the venue for their third and final group stage game is on the cusp of being withdrawn as a host city. <\/p>\n
The Arena da Baixada in Curitiba is falling well behind the deadline date for completion, originally for December 31, and could be rescinded from the list of venues for the 2014 World Cup by FIFA, who will make a final decision by Wednesday morning. <\/p>\n
Reports surfaced on Monday morning that the venue had been already been axed as a host city though the Football Federation of Australia denied that they had received any notice from FIFA. <\/p>\n
The game's governing body will assess the renovations of the stadium over the next two days and must be convinced by the local organising committee in the southern city that the venue will be completed in time before announcing their decision to cancel games held there. <\/p>\n
Last week, FIFA secretary-general JeromeValcke would not speculate whether Curitiba had been dropped as a World Cup venue but said a decision will be made this week. <\/p>\n
\"We will communicate the final decision to the teams as promised (next week),\" Valcke said. <\/p>\n
The venue was one of the newer stadiums in Brazil, originally built in 1999, though endured problems with the upgrade process highlighted by the suspension of all renovation works in October last year due to safety concerns. <\/p>\n
The state government of Parana reportedly sought to borrow up to $100 million from a government bank recently in order to fast-track construction and even hire more workers. <\/p>\n
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Axe hovers over Socceroos' World Cup venue in Curitiba<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Feb. 17, 2014, 10:59 a.m Continue reading