La Liga to adopt 'vanishing spray' for referees after its success at the World Cup in Brazil
- Spanish football federation (RFEF) says its referees will use the spray in La Liga and Segunda
- Serie A will also use the spray next season
- Bundesliga and Ligue 1 expected to follow before season kicks off
- Vanishing spray proved successful at World Cup in Brazil
- The spray has been used in South American leagues for years
The Spanish football federation, the RFEF, has announced that its referees will use vanishing spray in the country's top two leagues from the beginning of this season.
The spray, which consists mainly of water and butane, is used by referees to stop players encroaching at free-kicks. It evaporates within a matter of seconds.
Versions of the spray were trialled in England in the 1980s but it never became a permanent feature of the game. Three decades on, that appears to be changing across Europe.
![World Cup: The spray is used to ensure the Croatian wall remains 10 yards from the position of the free-kick](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/24/article-2704230-1EB5F1C200000578-54_634x429.jpg)
World Cup: The spray is used to ensure the Croatian wall remains 10 yards from the position of the free-kick
The Italian football federation have already announced that they will use the spray in Serie A and Serie B while the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 are also expected to adopt the spray in the near future.
The FA have given no suggestion that they will follow suit but with it being used so effectively at the World Cup in Brazil there appears to be little rational opposition to its use.
![Vanish: The spray disappears after less than a minute](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/24/article-2704230-08DD8E3300000514-949_634x395.jpg)
Vanish: The spray disappears after less than a minute
![Chairman: Greg Dyke has given no indication that the FA wishes to adopt the spray](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/07/24/article-2704230-1FE02FD600000578-725_634x432.jpg)
Chairman: Greg Dyke has given no indication that the FA wishes to adopt the spray
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over