FA wades into Wembley row

The Football Association today waded into the row over the completion of the Wembley job, backing client WNSL's claims that Multiplex is to blame for further delays to the project. The FA statement claimed practical completion could be achieved by the end of the year giving WNSL enough time to test the new 90,000 seater stadium. It follows a statement by Multiplex this morning claiming that 'client works' were hampering the completion of the job.

The FA statement

"Further to conversations with Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL), The FA remains confident that Wembley Stadium can be ready for this season’s FA Cup Final.

This is of course dependent on when stadium constructors Multiplex meets all of its contractual obligations. WNSL believes it is unlikely that Multiplex will complete their work by September but they continue to expect practical completion to take place before the end of 2006.

We do have to factor in that Multiplex have to date missed all key deadlines. However, once they do deliver the stadium they were contracted to hand over several months ago, WNSL will then be in a position to complete a detailed timetable of commissioning work, test events and any other remaining works.

They cannot complete this work until the stadium is completed by Multiplex.

We can also clarify that no plans have been made to book the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for The FA Cup Final."