There is nothing unusual in new sports stadiums behind schedule and over budget. However, the Zenit Arena which is being built in St. Petersburg for the 2018 World Cup in Russia appears to be in a class of its own. It is seven years behind schedule and the cost is likely to be at least €1bn compared with an original estimate of €190m.
There is nothing unusual in new sports stadiums behind schedule and over budget. However, the Zenit Arena which is being built in St. Petersburg for the 2018 World Cup in Russia appears to be in a class of its own. It is seven years behind schedule and the cost is likely to be at least €1bn compared with an original estimate of €190m.
Recent attention has focused on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because of the disruption it will cause to European league schedules, compounded by the arrogance of Sepp Blatter as he seeks another term at the helm of Fifa.
However, Russia is encountering a series of problems as the rouble is hit by falling oil and gas prices and economic sanctions start to make an impact. Cheap labour for construction projects is less readily available. Unpaid wages seem to be a phenomenon experienced across Russian football.