Sir, – Fifa experienced a small reprieve after an endless stream of blunders in recent months through its invention of the “magical vanishing foam” that is being used by referees to control set pieces.
What initially seemed like a comical and ridiculous addition to the official’s arsenal has transpired to work excellently, helping to define the boundary of the wall a set distance from the player.
Surely, given all the controversy surrounding Anthony Nash and the discrepancies in the penalty rule, the GAA could make use of Fifa’s little invention. The foam would allow referees to draw boundaries before which a free or penalty must be struck.
Its use would be even more applicable to Gaelic football, in which players routinely steal yards while taking a free from the hands. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS CONWAY,
Drumbane,
Ballina,
Co Tipperary.