IN BRIEF (Page 15)

Soccer

Cup to feature vanishing spray

FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Thursday confirmed that referees would be allowed to use a vanishing spray to mark out free-kicks at next year's World Cup finals in Brazil. Referees will use the spray during matches to mark a line on the ground where the defensive wall and the ball must be stationed for free-kicks. The water-based spray, which disappears about a minute after use, is being used during the Club World Cup in Morocco.