Corinthians training centre (TC) was adjusted to accommodate the Iranian national team.

A tap beer machine placed in the common area was covered to comply with the delegation’s requirements. Alcohol is forbidden in the country.

Curiously, the images of catholic saints inside the main dressing room allocated for the Iranian team were not removed.

The Christian chapel inside the TC, where a cross lies over the altar was not touched.

The visiting room was turned into a prayer room and a Persian rug was put on the floor.

Last Wednesday, the Iranian squad trained for the first time at the Corinthians training centre (TC), East Zone of Sao Paulo. The venue will be their headquarters in Brazil during the World Cup.

The security set to protect the delegation is tighter than what is usually seen there. At the main entrance, there is a police car and a temporary police kiosk. In total, there were six police men.

Other three stood at the press room entrance. There, three soldiers from the army, with rifles were securing the place. Other four armed police men walked inside the TC. Ten agents from the Federal Police, some armed, stayed there.

GREEN

The players led by the Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz entered the pitch at approximately 4:40pm, wearing a green uniform, a forbidden color inside the Corinthians TC, due to its association with its rival Palmeiras.

At Itaquerão, for example, Corinthians changed the window glasses in 2013 only because they were greenish.

Alongside Queiroz, Edu, Corinthians’s football manager also walked the pitch. He will help the Portuguese coach during the tournament after gaining the club’s permission.

The physiotherapist Bruno Mazziotti, also from Corinthians, worked with the midfielder Hashem Beikzadeh, one of the team’s main players, who recovers from an injury.