Vanishing Spray to be used in the Premier League

Good news – the much loved vanishing spray used to mark out free kicks during the FIFA World Cup 2014 will now be used for the Barclays Premier League as well. Italy and Spain gave the green signal for the use of the spray and England was showing some reluctance, but it is now confirmed the BPL too will take the help of the vanishing spray to mark out the distance between the ball and the defensive wall. The spray being used is manufactured by 9.15 Fair Play Limit, who also supplied this spray to Brazil for the World Cup.

The name of the company comes from the distane between the ball and the yard – 9.15 metres, or 10 yards.

The use of the spray has been the suggestion of Mike Riley, general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) which oversees top-flight referees. He was an assessor at the World Cup and recommended it be adopted by the Premier League. "I saw first-hand the benefits of vanishing spray for referees and for the game as a whole. The Select Group referees are looking forward to using it during Barclays Premier League matches next season."

This spray clears out positions for the players who often get antsy during free kicks and enhances fair play during the taking of free kicks. The chief executive of the Premiere League, Richard Scudamore, said: “At the Premier League we are open to developments that enhance the competition and it was clear from watching the World Cup in Brazil that vanishing spray benefitted referees, players, and all of those who watched the matches. Having witnessed that, and following consultation with our clubs and the PGMOL [Professional Game Match Officials Limited], we have decided to introduce it in the Premier League and look forward to having it in place for the 2014-15 season.”

Other tournaments to be using the psray are the UEFA CHampinon’s League and the Europa League. It. will not be used in the Championship, League One, League Two, or the Capital One Cup this season.