Contractor says that stadium may not be completed until after September because of client's unfinished works

Wembley stadium may not be finished until after September due to delays on works for which the client is responsible, main contractor Multiplex announced today.

In a monthly update to the Australian stock exchange, Multiplex said that it was still targeting practical completion of its contract by the end of September. However, it advised that the client, Wembley National Stadium Limited, had not yet begun some of the finishing works for which it is responsible, which may push the completion of the stadium back even further.

In the statement, Multiplex said: 鈥淢ultiplex is of the view that the works for which WNSL is responsible may not finish by September 2006 and therefore the date of Practical Completion may be delayed. Such a delay should have no impact on Multiplex鈥檚 project loss position.鈥�

WNSL is responsible for final stage commissioning works on the stadium, and must host a series of 鈥榬amp up鈥� events before the stadium can be granted a license to hold major concerts or sporting fixtures.

The announcement comes amid growing hostility between Multiplex and WNSL. Earlier this year, Multiplex claimed that it was entitled to 鈥渟ubstantial extensions of time鈥� as a result of design changes made by the client; a position which WNSL denies.

The two now look set for a multi-million pound legal dispute over the issue. In today鈥檚 statement, Multiplex advised that it has formally claimed extensions of time from WNSL.

The statement said that work on the pitch was now complete, as was all structural steelwork. Fit-out work and installation of seats are continuing.