World Cup preparations in chaos as unsafe food found and 'state of emergency' declared in host city

Sport 28 May, 2014 14:09

The host city for the World Cup in Brazil has declared a 180 day state of emergency because of a risk of flooding as preparations descend into chaos with unsafe food found in team hotels less than a month before games start.

Brazil has been hit by a number of setbacks in the lead up to the World Cup, with stadium buildings behind schedule, several people having died during the rush to complete them and preparations branded the poorest for almost 40 years by Sepp Blatter.

Officials declared a state of emergency for Manaus, the host city, on Tuesday because of a flood risk, as the waters of an Amazon River tributary began to swell.

However Jacira Oliveira, a spokeswoman for city hall, said they do not expect the Rio Negro tributary to flood and that it was just a preventative measure to ensure emergency resources can be accessed if it does spill into the city. She said even if there are floods, they won't damage the Arena Amazonia stadium that will host four games including England against Italy on June 14.

The warning is the second setback to hit preparations in less than 24 hours after hotels where England’s World Cup squad and Italy’s team are due to stay faced fines after out of date food was found.

Officials who raided the five-star Royal Tulip Hotel in Rio de Janeiro confiscated 700g of butter, 400g of Parma ham and nearly 1.2kg of salmon past its sell-by date.

It comes less than two weeks before England are due to arrive at their World Cup base, which has undergone an extensive revamp in time for the tournament.

The £2 million renovation followed claims the accommodation was "third world".

The hotel, close to a violent slum, has also been accused of breaking Brazilian law by failing to provide guests with condoms. It now has 15 days to appeal or face a fine.

The Football Association insisted it is not worried by the out-of-date products.

Responding to concerns about the standard of food that England's players will consume, the FA offered an assurance their meals will be prepared by a chef travelling in the World Cup party.

An FA spokesman said: "The England chef has visited the Royal Tulip hotel several times and is happy with the cleanliness of the facilities. He will also closely supervise all the players' food intake."

^{One of the common areas at Royal Tulip Hotel in Sao Conrado neighbourhood, Rio de Janeiro (GETTY)}

The food seizure was part of an ongoing campaign by Rio de Janeiro consumer protection officials ahead of the World Cup.

More than 50kg of food deemed unfit for consumption was taken from the Portobello Hotel in the city where Italy will stay.

Fabio Domingos, head of state-run Procon, a consumer rights organisation, described the find as "unacceptable."

The group stated on its website: "In Sao Conrado, at the Hotel Royal Tulip, where the England team will be based, 2.362kg of unusable butter, Parma ham and salmon was seized. The hotel was also fined for not providing condoms to guests."

The Caesar Park Hotel, where Holland will stay, was given a clean bill of health.

Earlier this month police clashed with a gang close to England's hotel, leaving one man dead.

The 24-year-old suspect was killed after an exchange of gunfire in Rocinha, the largest slum in the city with a population of about 200,000.

The Royal Tulip, in the beach district of Sao Conrado on the edge of Rio's south zone, has said security will be reinforced during England's stay.

Brazil is deploying 150,000 troops and police across the 12 host cities along with 20,000 private security guards inside stadiums.

The squad is due to arrive at the hotel on June 8 and begin their World Cup campaign against Italy on June 14.

The accommodation is part of the wider chain Golden Tulip Hotels, and suites can cost up to £440 per night. The hotel has extensive fitness facilities and an outdoor pool following refurbishment.

Despite being the FA’s first choice, it is 2,630 miles from the location of England’s first group match against Italy in Manaus.

Half of Brazil's 12 host stadiums failed to meet Fifa's December 21 deadline for completion, with delays also affecting work on hotels, airports and roads.