The contractor building Wembley Stadium, Multiplex, has issued a statement which says the beleagured national stadium may not be ready to host a major event until June 2007.

Multiplex's statement comes amid a new flurry of infighting between Multiplex and the venue's owners Wembley National Stadium Ltd (WNSL).

On Monday (31 July), WNSL chief executive Michael Cunnah announced that the most recently discussed completion date, of September 2006 was unrealistic, placing the responsibility firmly on Multiplex.

Cunnah said: "Multiplex still has major items to complete. For example, Multiplex has yet to finish the stadium's roof, the extensive remedial works to the stadium's drainage network and the installation of 10,000 of the stadium's 90,000 seats. It has always been our view that the stadium's delays are Multiplex's responsibility."

In response, Multiplex placed a progress report this morning (1 August) which insists that WNSL had not yet begun a number of 'client works' which were essential, arguing that it was unable to achieve practical completion until WNSL had carried these works out.

Multiplex added: "In the absence of a detailed programme having been provided by WNSL, Multiplex has conducted its own analysis of the programme to completion of the client works.

"This has been based on Multiplex’s own assumptions of the current state of WNSL’s preparedness. The analysis has been reviewed with an expert in the operation of major stadia and indicates that it is unlikely that the stadium will be able to hold a test event for 90,000 spectators before June 2007."

The latest round of arguments indicates that the acrimony surrounding the project shows no sign of abating and increases the likelihood of a High Court showdown between Multiplex and WNSL. Details: www.multiplex.com.au www.wembleystadium.com