Former Premier League star Jlloyd Samuel has revealed how his new club sacrificed a sheep after losing a game.
Samuel, 31, said the animal had its throat slit at Esteghlal FC in front of 100,000 fans at their home ground in Tehran, Iran.
The former England Under 21 international was even more amazed when he was told to step in the animal’s blood for good fortune.
Samuel said the traditional animal sacrifice - after the club had lost a game - was the biggest eye-opener to the difference in football cultures.
The Trinidad and Tobago international told the latest issue of Four Four Two magazine: “I was spoilt in England.
“The biggest eye-opener was when they sacrificed a sheep for good luck.
“We had lost a game, so they brought a sheep to the side of the pitch and slit its throat.
“It was a bit of a shock, to put it mildly. You’re meant to step into the blood for good luck, but I actually took a step backwards.
“I can’t go against their beliefs, but I wasn’t going to join in. The funny thing is we won the next game.
“The supporters are fanatical. You get 85,000 to 100,000 people at our home games. They’re so passionate.”
Samuel says he hasn’t experienced any East vs West animosity and says the most dangerous thing he has experienced while living there is the perilous driving.
He said: “I opted for Tehran because I found it so intriguing.
"I’ve always had wanderlust, and I’ve been trying to educate myself about the history of Iran so I can see the bigger picture.
“The last thing I wanted to do was come over here and not be fully aware of what is going on around me.
“I can’t say I’ve seen anything in terms of East vs West animosity, thought.
"You hear of these things, and I watch the news every day, but there has been no sign that anything is about to happen.”
But he still can’t get used to the roads in his new home.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he added.
“I wouldn’t drive here - it’s too daunting. You take you life in your hands when you hit the road in Tehran.
“People complain about the traffic in London, but it’s a white-knuckle ride here. And the din is tremendous!
“They don’t bother with indicators, they just hoot, In fact, they seem to drive all the time with their hands on the beeper.”