Vanishing spray gets green light in France
Uzbekistan referee Ravshan Irmatov (L) sprays free-kick indicator foam in front of Costa Rica's players during a World Cup quarter-final match between Netherlands and Costa Rica at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador on July 5, 2014. PHOTO | FABRICE COFFRINI | FILE
What you need to know:
- UEFA are also set to use the spray, which disappears after approximately a minute, for the upcoming Champions League and Europa League campaigns.
- At this year's World Cup the bright white foam was used by referees at free-kicks to make sure defensive walls do not encroach closer than 9.15m (10 yards) and proved popular with fans and officials.
PARIS
The French Football Federation (FFF) have agreed to adopt the use of vanishing spray, to fix distances for free-kicks and their walls, at top level matches this season, president Noel Le Graet announced on Thursday.
At this year's World Cup the bright white foam was used by referees at free-kicks to make sure defensive walls do not encroach closer than 9.15m (10 yards) and proved popular with fans and officials.
"We have adopted (the use of) spray, for Ligue 1, Ligue 2, the National championship and women's first division. This decision will be applied for the start of the season," read Le Graet's statement.
The innovation will also be used at French Cup matches from the round of 32 for men and round of 16 for women.
UEFA are also set to use the spray, which disappears after approximately a minute, for the upcoming Champions League and Europa League campaigns.
