LONDON - The company rebuilding Wembley Stadium said today it would be ready for the FA Cup final on May 19, contrary to media reports that a legal dispute could delay its long-overdue completion.
A report in The Guardian said an impending legal case involving Australian construction companyMultiplex and one of its sub-contractors Honeywell could delay the staging of test events at the stadium, which has cost over 750 million pounds ($1.5 billion).
But Multiplex sent out a press release later on Tuesday refuting the reports, saying the end-of-season final should go ahead at Wembley.
"Contrary to misleading reports in today's media, Multiplex can see no reason why the FA Cup final should not be held at Wembley in 2007," the statement said.
"Legal issues currently being resolved between Multiplex and Honeywell do not impact on site progress.
"Multiplex is working with WNSL (Wembley National Stadium Limited) and the FA within the timeframes allowed for practical completion as set out in the settlement reached last year.
"WNSL and Multiplex continue to work closely with Honeywell as they complete their final system demonstration and testing."
Work was originally due to be completed by January 31, 2006, but repeated delays, including a 50 tonne steel roof girder slipping out of place, forced the FA to abandon the stadium's opening and move the 2006 FA Cup final back to its temporary home of Cardiff.
FA chief executive Brian Barwick said last week that everything was "on track" to host the FA Cup on May 19 at Wembley, but pointedly added that there were "no guarantees" it would be ready on time.
