Vanish Spray set to be used for first time in Brazil

For this first time at the FIFA World Cup, the pitch will be littered in temporary spray paint, and no it is not some, as Jeremy Clarkson would say “Youths” “tagging” the hallowed turf of the Maracana. What, in reality it is, is Vanishing spray. It is designed to keep the wall 9.15 metres away from the ball at free kick time.

This is not a new system to top level football though, Vanishing spray has been in place in both Brazil and The USA  for some time, with great success. 

Here is an example of the new system in full effect.

In terms of international tournaments, the first competition to implement the spray was the 2001 Copa America. It has since been used at the World Under 20’s championship in Turkey in 2013. It was also used in the FIFA Club World Cup in January where the announcement was made that the spray would be used at this years tournament.

The spray is not just used to keep those pesky defenders in the wall away, Referees will also try their hands at spraying a circle in the position where the kick must be taken from. This eliminates players edging the ball forward or backwards to gain an advantage.

Speaking in Morocco in January to the Associated Press, former Italy manager Marcello Lippi had his doubts about the influence it gives the referee: ''It's an intelligent thing, it can be useful only at the point where the referees actually measures the distance between the attackers and the line,'' Lippi said. ''Twice I saw a 15-meter difference, which is way too much.''

Its chief developer, Pablo Silva, explained how massive this implementation is for the spray and his company: ''We've climbed a long, steep curve to get here,'' Silva told the AP. ''Economically, this will be very important for us but what makes us most proud is that the product will be recognized at an international level. You can't put a price on that.''

Silva went on to tell AP how the idea came to fruition, it was when he himself was playing football: ''We were losing 1-0 and had a free kick and as I stood over it I knew I could make this left-footed shot and even the game. But when I finally took my shot the ball struck the defender in the stomach as he was just 3 meters away''

Some of the players this is likely to benefit are Italy’s Andrea Pirlo, Bosnia and Herzegovina set piece specialist Sejad Salihovic and even Brazil’s David Luiz, but only if he can keep his erratic strikes out of orbit at this summers tournament. 

Here is a sample of what we might be in for in the category of free kick taking.