SPECULATION builders were struggling to complete the Ricoh Arena in time for the new football season was mounting this week.
And despite growing concern the state of the art stadium has fallen weeks behind schedule, Arena chiefs and Coventry City Council refused to comment on the speculation this week.
The Ricoh Arena - the new home of Coventry City - forms the backbone of the ambitious £113 million Arena complex at the former Foleshill Gasworks.
But just weeks after the Sky Blues bid an emotional farewell to the Highfield Road stadium, the club's home for 106 years, concern has mounted Coventry City face starting the new football season on August 6 with work on the Arena incomplete.
The speculation centres on a fire at the Arena in January. Arsonists torched ten pallets containing plastic seats for the Arena, and firefighters spent nearly three hours battling the blaze.
Arena chiefs have played down the significance of the fire, insisting the blaze has had no impact on the Arena's building schedule.
But rumours persist the Arena has fallen six weeks behind schedule, threatening to scupper the stadium's grand opening at the start of the new season.
The Observer contacted Arena Coventry Limited this week, but a spokesman declined to comment on the speculation.
The spokesman said Arena Coventry Limited only took control of the stadium from the city council once builders Laing O'Rourke had completed the work.
When The Observer contacted the city council this week, a spokesman said the council had no comment to make on whether building work on Arena had fallen behind schedule.
But the spokesman added a statement on the Arena was planned in the near future.
A spokesman for Coventry City said this week the club was unaware of problems surrounding building work at the Arena - despite rumours circulating the city the club has asked the Football League for permission to play the first three games of the new season away from home.
The spokesman confirmed the club had made a request to the Football League, but the request was to play the first game of the new season at the Ricoh Arena.
When The Observer contacted the Football League, a spokesman said Coventry City had made no requests to the league to play the first games of the season away from home.
The spokesman added other clubs had made such requests in recent seasons, and each case was treated on its merits.
A spokesman for Laing O'Rourke was unavailable for comment.