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FIFA frets over Maracana refurbishment

Valcke visited the Arena do Copa outside Recife but said the famous Maracana, which he is due to visit Thursday, was preying on his mind.

"The city I'm travelling to in two days' is the one which is causing FIFA the most concern," he told reporters.

"The date of completion is very important so we can test them before the start," Valcke said. "May is too late and that could cause a lot of trouble for FIFA, for the World Cup and for Brazil."

"Now we have to work on the pitch, which is the most important project," said Valcke. "The pitch will be planted in the new few weeks but we don't have much tie for it to be ready.

"It's important that they have the same conditions for all the matches, that is something we try to guarantee," he said.