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Community Shield: Vanishing spray will be used at Wembley

Portugues referee Pedro Proenca sprays a free kick line during a Group C football match between Japan and Colombia in the World Cup
Image: Vanishing spray will be used in the Community Shield

Vanishing spray will be used in Sunday's Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City, the FA has revealed.

The spray, used to keep the defensive wall back 10 yards at a free-kick, will feature in Premier League matches this season and will be used by referee Michael Oliver in the pre-season showpiece at Wembley.

FA General Secretary Alex Horne said: "It is great that vanishing spray will be used for the first time in England in this Sunday’s FA Community Shield fixture at Wembley Stadium.

"Vanishing spray was a great innovation at the 2014 World Cup, having been trialled in South America, and the FA were instrumental in allowing this into the laws of the game in 2012 through our role in IFAB (International Football Association Board).

"All the select list referees have been at St George's Park for tests with the spray and I am sure they will look forward to using it this season.

"Michael Oliver has the honour of refereeing this weekend's game. I am sure it will be a fantastic occasion between two great clubs in Arsenal and Manchester City."

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