( CNN ) -- Now you see it , now you do n't . That 's the logic behind the vanishing spray being used at this year 's World Cup in Brazil . If you watched Thursday 's opening Brazil-Croatia match , you may have seen it : Before a free kick in the first half , a referee pulled a spray can out of a holster and squirted a white line on the field . No , the World Cup refs are n't wannabe graffiti artists . For the first time , FIFA referees are using the special spray to paint a temporary white line 10 yards from the free kick spot , marking the safe area into which opposing players can not encroach . The spray disappears after one minute . This , although somewhat awkward to watch , addresses a problem for referees and players alike : Although they 're supposed to remain 10 yards away , opposing players have frequently crept closer to the free-kick taker in an effort to disrupt the kick , starting countless arguments about fairness . The vanishing spray , which was an immediate hit Thursday on Twitter , is the brainchild of Argentinian journalist and entrepreneur Pablo Silva . `` It started seven or eight years ago when I was playing in a championship played amongst former school members , '' Silva told Reuters . `` In the 88th minute , we were losing 1-0 and won a free kick on the edge of the area . When I took the kick , the wall ( of opposing players ) was three meters away . The referee did n't book anyone and did n't do anything . We lost the game and driving home later , with a mixture of anger and bitterness , I thought that we must invent something to stop this . '' The spray is called 9:15 Fairplay , or 10 yards expressed in meters . It 's already been used in games the past several years by Major League Soccer . `` We find the vanishing spray to be extremely useful and very effective in ensuring the defenders are 10 yards from the ball , '' said Paul Rejer , training and development manager for the Professional Referees Organization , which supplies officials for MLS . `` The spray makes it clear where the ball is to be placed and where the defenders have to stand . Since the use of spray we experience very few problems in achieving the ... ( minimum ) distance . '' Rejer said the spray has been welcomed by officials and is no hassle for them to carry during games . If nothing else , Silva and his spray already have some high-profile supporters , including Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo . `` I think it 's a great idea , '' he said in a testimonial on the 9:15 website . `` Use a spray to mark the distance between the barrier and the kicker can be a great help . ''
For the first time , FIFA referees are using a special white line . They spray a temporary white line 10 meters from the spot of free kick . The line keeps opposing players back and disappears after a minute . It 's already been used in games the past several years by Major League Soccer .