The mayor of Porto Alegre, in southern Brazil, says his city may drop
out of June's football World Cup if key legislation is not approved this
week.
Jose Fortunati told a local Radio Gaucha that "there was no plan B" to find much-needed extra funding.
He says a bill creating tax breaks for companies investing in temporary structures for the tournament must be voted on Tuesday.
The Brazil World Cup starts on 12 June but some cities are behind schedule.
Porto Alegre's Beira Rio stadium is nearly ready, but it
still needs temporary structures to house the media, sponsors and other
requirements by the world football governing body, Fifa.
The outside of the stadium, due to host five matches,
including fixtures with France, Holland and Argentina, is still
unfinished.
'No Plan B or C'
But in an interview with local Radio Gaucha, Mr Fortunati said he was more worried about the temporary structures.
"If the project is not voted, we won't have the World Cup in Porto Alegre. There's no Plan B, nor C nor Z," he warned.
The legislation that allows tax exemptions to firms that
invest in the structures was poised to be voted by the Rio Grande do Sul
state legislative assembly on Tuesday.
The authorities are not allowed to use public money in structures that will not be used after the World Cup.
Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke said on Friday that
delays were most worrying in Sao Paulo's Arena Corinthians – set to host
the opening match – and in Porto Alegre's Beira Rio, just under three
months before the tournament.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Brazil World Cup city 'may drop out'
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