Takeover Bid For Wembley Builder

Multiplex, the debt-ridden development company that is constructing the new
Wembley Stadium, has been approached over a buyout plan by an investment
consortium.

Shares in Multiplex rose 5.5% on news of takeover interest from a group
including the founders of the firm and Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management.

The Australian developer lost over £143m before tax on the 90,000-seater
Wembley which is due to open later this year.

Multiplex took on the £757m Wembley contract on a fixed-price basis but
blamed 600 design changes for the construction delays for the stadium which was
scheduled to open in 2005.