There will be no delays on the start of construction of stadiums for the 2014 World Cup, Brazil sports minister Orlando Silva said on Wednesday. Silva acknowledged there may be delays in the bidding process for the renovation or construction of stadiums in the 12 cities selected. But he said he was confident construction would begin next March as planned. He said FIFA - the governing body of world football - was flexible over delays in the bidding process, which should have ended in August. He said FIFA was less flexible over the start of construction. Silva said the renovation and new construction would be organized by state and local government, using both public and private money. Silva repeated earlier statements by Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that money from Brazil's federal government would not be used in stadium building. He said, however, that the federal government would extend credit of $2.76 billion for the projects.
