Legal woes could push Wembley opening back to 2010

The opening of the troubled new Wembley Stadium could be pushed back even further, after Australian builders Muliplex began legal action against FA subsidiary Wembley National Stadium Ltd, which could last several years.

Muliplex has issued a £450 million claim to cover for loss of earnings and Lord Carter, the chairman of Sport England who acted as a trouble-shooter on the project four years ago, could now become involved again to try and help resolve the dispute.

Muliplex could now refuse to hand over the keys to stadium operators WNSL until the court action is complete, delaying the opening until 2010, according to reports in the Daily Telegraph.

Both Multiplex and WNSL have privately distanced themselves from the report. A source close to Multiplex said: "Legal action does look likely but there is nothing to stop that going on while the stadium is in use."

Multiplex signed a fixed-price contract to build Wembley but are claiming changes to the design means they are owed more money, and although no writ has been issued they have sent WNSL several letters of notification about the money they believe they are owed - and their losses on the project stand at more than £200million.

WNSL, meanwhile, have imposed penalty charges for late delivery of the stadium and are withholding money from Multiplex.

An adjudication panel has ruled on a number of issues already, some in favour of Multiplex and some in favour of WNSL, but their findings are likely to be challenged in court by both sides.