The playing surface in the Arena Amazonia in Manaus has reportedly been spray-painted green following concerns over the number of brown patches on the pitch.

Pictures emerged yesterday showing the pitch in poor condition ahead of Saturday's Group D match between England and Italy.

Both sides have expressed concerns over the state of the pitch, with England opting to conduct training at their team hotel instead of at the stadium.

There were dry and brown patches all over the surface due to over-fertilisation of the pitch, which FIFA themselves have admitted is in poor condition.

However, reports have emerged that a man with a canister on his back was spraying what looked like paint on the discoloured areas earlier today in an attempt to make it look greener.

In addition to Saturday's match between Italy and England, three other group games are scheduled to take place in Manaus.