The Premier League is considering introducing the spray used at the World Cup to mark out the placement of the ball at free-kicks and the position of the defensive wall.

The league is to ask Mike Riley, the head of officiating who was at Brazil 2014, for a report on the spray’s suitability.

While the Premier League is maintaining an open mind, it is unlikely the spray will be used next season even if it receives the green light.

The Premier League will need to examine how much time it may add to a game, how often it would be used, if there is actually a need for it due to an encroachment issue at free-kicks, and what referees think of it.

In Brazil the spray proved a success in keeping walls the standard 10 yards from the ball at free-kicks and also added some colour and humour. During Holland’s 5-1 defeat of Spain in their opening match of Group B, Bruno Martins Indi appeared unhappy when the referee sprayed his boots accidentally.