UEFA adopts use of vanishing spray on free kicks

The governing body of European soccer, UEFA, is joining the Americas and FIFA by deciding to use vanishing spray foam during free kicks, it was announced Friday.

“As we all saw at the World Cup, this spray was very useful in helping the referee in free-kick situations,” UEFA President Michel Platini said.

The spray foam, which dissipates within a minute, is used to mark the spot from where the ball will be kicked and a line 10 yards away for the defenders to set up a wall. Anyone who has watched European soccer knows that as soon as the wall had been set in the past, the players slowly crept closer to the kicker.

Vanishing spray was first used in Brazil’s professional leagues in the early 2000s and became a mainstay in the Americas in 2011, including Major League Soccer. The English Premier League has also adopted its use for the upcoming season.

UEFA officials will debut the use of the vanishing spray in its Super Cup game between Champions League winner Real Madrid and Europa League victor Sevilla on Tuesday in Cardiff, Wales.

The spray will also be used in Champions League playoffs, European Championship qualifiers and Europa League group matches.

Associated Press and Internet reports contributed to this story.