Magic spray coming to Premier League

Referees in Premier League matches next season will use the vanishing spray that came to prominence in the recent World Cup in Brazil, it has been announced.

The ’magic spray’ will be used at free-kicks to mark out where the wall should stand 10 yards away from the ball and has been shown to prevent encroachment and speed up play.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “At the Premier League we are open to developments that enhance the competition and it was clear from watching the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil that vanishing spray benefited referees, players, and all of those who watched the matches.”

Mike Riley, general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) which overseas top-flight referees, was an assessor at the World Cup and recommended it be adopted by the Premier League.

He said: “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.”

The Premier League will use spray produced by 9.15 Fair Play Limit – the same supplier for the World Cup in Brazil.

The spray will also be used by UEFA in the Champions League and Europa League - it lasts around a minute before it disappears.

The inventor Heine Allegmagne, from near Belo Horizonte in Brazil, called his company 9.15 Fair Play in reference to the wall having to be 9.15 metres (10 yards) from the free-kick.