Pele has World Cup concerns

SAO PAULO (AP) ― Pele has expressed concern over delays in the preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, saying they could cause an embarrassment for the country.

Pele said at a news conference Friday that Brazil has the “obligation of staging a good World Cup but unfortunately everything is delayed.”

He said Brazil is facing a “big risk of being embarrassed” because of delays in the modernization and renovation of Brazil’s overcrowded and saturated airports, and concerns over some venues.

He singled out the case of Sao Paulo, which was to host the World Cup’s opening match but where construction of a new stadium is behind schedule after FIFA ruled that the existing Morumbi venue didn’t meet standards.