Brazil's preparations hit by more strikes

Construction workers' strikes at Brazil's World Cup venues continue to plague preparations for the 2014 showpiece, with the northeastern city of Salvador hit by a stoppage in demand of improved wages on Wednesday.

The Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador is also short-listed as a venue for the Confederations Cup, a World Cup dress rehearsal held a year before the finals, and needs to be ready in good time for the June 2013 tournament.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke praised Salvador on its preparations only two weeks ago on a tour of Brazil, but workers are unhappy with deals made between venue cities and the consortiums building or refurbishing World Cup stadiums.