By Andrew Warshaw
August 11 – Vanishing spray to ensure players do not encroach at freekicks outside the penalty area is to be used in UEFA club competitions this season following its successful implementation at the World Cup.
The spray, first used in Latin America, will make its UEFA debut on Tuesday when Champions League winner Real Madrid plays Europa League winner Sevilla in the all-spanish Super Cup title in Cardiff.
“As we all saw at the World Cup, this spray was very useful in helping the referee in free-kick situations, and I am sure we will see similar results in our matches this season,” said Platini, whose approval marks a departure from his general opposition to technical aids for referees and follows a decision by the UEFA referees committee to give the green light to the spray which disappears within a minute after marking out the 9.15 metre distance that defensive walls must observe.
The system was judged such a success at the World Cup that it has since been adopted by the English and French leagues. It will also be used in the Euro 2016 qualifiers.
UEFA’s chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina added: “We initially discussed the introduction of the vanishing spray with all the top UEFA referees at our winter course in Lisbon last February and then tested it in Malta at the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May.
“In my opinion, there is no doubt that the spray allows the referees to have an easier control in free-kick situations, as players cannot try to make the wall distance shorter by using the so-called ‘penguin walk’ tactic. Once the defensive wall has been correctly positioned, the free-kick will be taken with the distance respected.”
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