GROUND STAFF IN Manaus are spraying suspect areas of the pitch as they rush to improve it before tomorrow’s World Cup clash between England and Italy.
There has been a lot of concern about the surface at the Arena Amazonia with photos from inside the ground revealing threadbare brown patches, particularly in one of the goalmouths.
Both teams are scheduled to train at the ground today ahead of their Group D opener tomorrow (kick-off 11pm Irish time).
New photos showed workers spraying the grass on Thursday evening with what the Mirror described as “a special green substance to try to make it look better”, and the Mail more bluntly referred to as “paint.”
FIFA confirmed that the pitch was being treated but did not comment on the chemicals being used.
