Vanishing act for Football League

The product, which was debuted in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has been used in the Premier League and Champions League this season, but only on a trial basis by the Football League in the early rounds of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

However after successful feedback, the governing body has decided to implement it into Sky Bet Championship, League One, League Two, Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy from the start of 2015.

A Football League statement read: “The Football League is to introduce the use of ‘Vanishing Spray’ by referees into its competitions from January 1, 2015 following a successful trial in the early rounds of this season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

“Having received positive feedback from clubs, referees and supporters, The League has instructed the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) to begin using the product in all matches played in the Sky Bet Football League, Capital One Cup and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy from the mid-point of the current campaign.”

Meanwhile the climax to the 2014/15 Football League campaign will be staggered across the weekend of May 2/3 to ensure all three divisions are showcased.

The final round of the Championship will kick-off on Saturday May 2 at 12.15pm, League One will close at 3pm that afternoon while teams in the bottom tier will play their final game 24 hours later on May 3.

The league has also confirmed the start date for the 2015/16 campaign as August 8.

The Football League has announced that all three divisions of the Sky Bet Football League will conclude at different times across the final weekend (May 2/3) of the 2014/15 season giving each competition its own share of the footballing spotlight.

The final weekend will begin with the climax of the Sky Bet Championship season at 12.15pm on Saturday. May 2, and is followed later that day by the end of the Sky Bet League 2 season at 3.00pm.

The last day of the Sky Bet League 1 season will take place the following day, Sunday, May 3, with matches kicking off at 12.15pm.