Final inspection for Bangkok Futsal Arena on 5 Nov

The Organising Committee of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 met today, Wednesday 31 October 2012, on the eve of the tournament’s opening match, to review the tournament preparations and in particular the status of the Bangkok Futsal Arena, which is due to host quarter-final and semi-final matches as well as the final itself. Under the chairmanship of Manilal Fernando, the committee agreed that the use of the Futsal Arena will be permitted for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 subject to a number of provisions being met ahead of a final inspection on 5 November. These provisions comprise a reduction in the hall’s capacity by closing the fifth floor to the public; completing all FIFA security procedures, which include the submission of a security certificate issued by the relevant public body (Fire/Health & Safety), the submission of an emergency evacuation plan, the provision of an insurance policy to cover all risks, and the finalisation of a CCTV security system. In addition, the pitch - which is not currently in place - needs to be ready in time for the inspection. There are three options which have been left open to achieve this aim: a transportable pitch being flown in from Italy, Thai customs clearing in time a pitch which has been imported from China, or instead bringing in surface materials from Taiwan/Malaysia. From FIFA