26 March,2014 08:05 AM IST | | PA Sport
The mayor of Porto Alegre in Brazil has revealed his city may be forced to pull out of hosting matches at this year's World Cup over a lack of temporary structures at its stadium
Brasilia: The mayor of Porto Alegre in Brazil has revealed his city may be forced to pull out of hosting matches at this year's World Cup over a lack of temporary structures at its stadium.
Jose Fortunati admitted the Estadio Beira-Rio is not yet ready to host matches for this summer's extravaganza in an interview with a local radio station.
He has demanded a bill that will exempt companies investing in temporary structures from paying tax, saying it is the only way for the city to raise much-needed funding .
"This is the point which matters in terms of holding the World Cup in Porto Alegre," he told Radio Gaucha on Monday. "If the bill is not voted, we will not have the World Cup in Porto Alegre.
"This is because we will not have the resources to do it. We have no plan B. The only alternative is this."
Porto Alegre, located in the south of Brazil, is scheduled to play host to four group matches and a last-16 clash.
