Updated: Dec. 21, 2005
Wembley contractor Multiplex today admitted that rebuilding work
may not be completed in time for the 2006 FA Cup final to be staged
at the new national stadium.
The news comes just two days after the Australian firm revealed
they face losses of up to £70million on the troubled project.
Multiplex has been dogged by problems on the proposed 90,000-seat
arena, which has incurred litigation and higher costs after a
change of steel contractor.
And now there is a real fear the Football Association will have to
go ahead with alternative plans to switch next year's cup final to
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
'The project is currently tracking to a revised programme which
permits progressive handover of the stadium commencing in January
2006, with works substantially completed by end of March 2006,'
declared a Multiplex statement.
'Some works that are not critical to delivering the operational
status of the stadium continue past this date, but still permit the
FA Cup Final to be played on May 13, 2006.
'There remains a material risk that these dates will not be
achieved and the stadium will not be available for the FA Cup
Final.
'As previously stated, such delay, if it was to occur, would be
likely to lead to significant additional costs, including
liquidated damages.'