Vanishing spray to feature at World Cup

FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Thursday confirmed that referees would be allowed to use a vanishing spray to mark out free-kicks at next year's World Cup finals in Brazil. Referees will use the spray during matches to mark a line on the ground where the defensive wall, and ball, must be stationed at free-kicks. The water-based spray, which disappears about a minute after use, has been trialled during the ongoing Club World Cup in Morocco. "The teams, players, referees and delegations are happy with it. One of the Bayern representatives told me the other day that now free-kicks can be taken with the wall nine metres back instead of five or six and we are going to use it at the World Cup in Brazil," Blatter told reporters in Marrakech ahead of Saturday's Club World Cup final between European champions Bayern and host nation champions Raja Casablanca. It will be used in addition to goal-line technology in Brazil, with Blatter adding: "Everyone has been convinced by the tools and we're similarly impressed." The vanishing spray was previously tested at this year's under-20 World Cup in Turkey and at the under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, while it is also notably used in matches in Argentina. It is used to stop players in the defensive wall creeping closer to the ball, while a circle is also drawn where the ball is to be placed for a free-kick. "I like it. The mark left by the spray disappears after 15 or 20 seconds. The rules say that the wall must be a certain distance back and now that is respected," said Bayern coach Pep Guardiola. "It is a good idea. I hope it is kept and does not disappear in the future." Source: AFP