Morumbi excluded from 2014 World Cup

The announcement ended months of controversy over the renovation of the stadium, owned by local club Sao Paulo, and added to concerns over preparations for the event.

Organisers said the city had failed to provide financial guarantees to cover the costs of the renovation, estimated at around 600 million Reais ($333,000).

"The Morumbi is therefore excluded from the 2014 World Cup project," said the organisers in a statement. "FIFA and the local organising committee will engage with the city of Sao Paulo for further discussions."

Last month, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said Brazil was "not walking along the right path" and expressed concern at the lack of progress, although he has since declined to comment further, saying he is concentrating on 2010.

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