Organisers of the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa have dismissed concerns that preparations are behind schedule despite the removal of one stadium for next year's test event. More details from our Sports News Reporter Alex Capstick:

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The stadium in Port Elizabeth was one of five venues to stage matches at next June's Confederations Cup, which will feature the world champions Italy, the six continental champions and the hosts South Africa. But it's been withdrawn because of what has been described as serious constraints for the southern coastal city to meet the deadline.

However a senior FIFA official said the stadium will be completed in time for the World Cup twelve months later. And the chief executive officer of the tournament, Danny Jordaan, has insisted that everything will be ready for 2010, although rising prices around the world are affecting the budget.

This latest development follows earlier fears over construction delays, the possibility of power cuts and security in light of South Africa's high crime rate. Last month the President of football's World Governing body, Sepp Blatter, was quoted as saying there was a plan B for the World Cup, but only in the case of a natural disaster.

Alex Capstick, BBC Sports News Reporter

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football's showpiece event
the most impressive and internationally important competition in world football

venues
places where events happen

withdrawn
made no longer available

constraints
restrictions, limitations

insisted
said very firmly

the budget
the financial plan

in light of
because of

a plan B
an alternative suggestion for what to do in case something goes wrong with the main plan

a natural disaster
an event such as an earthquake or flood which causes a very large amount of damage

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