With ongoing debates over the goal-line technology, its effectiveness and its glitches a simpler practice is set to be adopted during the illustrious tournament which is set to kick off tomorrow in Brazil. Referees will be carrying with them a vanishing spray during the World Cup matches and its use will effectively prevent defenders to creep closer to free kick takers
English referee Howard Webb expressed his satisfaction over the use of vanishing sprays and explained how it will be used during the tournament.
"You spray a circle around the ball and a line 10 yards [9.15m] away for the defenders," explained Webb.
"It will assist us in getting the players back at a free-kick and, in turn, that gives the attacking team a better opportunity of creating something from that set-piece."
This technique will avert any efforts from opposition players to cause any disturbance when a free kick is given. Should a player move the ball from its allocated position or move in front of the 10 yard line before the free kick is taken, the referee has the liberty to discipline him by showing a yellow card.
The vanishing spray has already been tested during the under-20 and under-17 World Cups and has been used for several years in Brazil and Argentina for the domestic games. Sepp Blatter who is widely known for his rigid and stubborn nature was also happy with the results of the experiment and said:
"I think it's a very good solution. Some say it takes too much time and I was also quite skeptical at the beginning but all the referees who have used the system were pleased with it.”
However this news has not been received well by everyone, with the Germans in particular unconvinced by the newly introduced technology.
Germany’s first choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has termed it a time waster and has claimed that it could prove to be bad for the game in the long run.
"That vanishing spray makes the game a bit slower,"Manuel Neuer said.
"We like to not hesitate taking free kicks in the dangerous zone and play them quick. It can take about one or two minutes with that spray to just take the free kick. Especially when the game is tied against defensive teams this can be bad for the game."
His compatriot Toni Kroos is equally skeptical of the use of vanishing sprays and said: "At first glance, it’s a bit funny and odd. But I don’t think it will help anyone in the long run."
Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer is yet another German who is hardly impressed.
"If it’s 18 to 20 metres away from the goal, then it might be useful,” Sammer said. “But with free kicks on the wing it’s just a waste of time.
"For me the spray has been a flop right from start. Just imagine in a game on a razor’s edge, and the ref needs to take his time to mark out the distance."
