Spanish referee labelled a genius after using vanishing spray to stop encroaching players

A referee has gone viral after he used vanishing spray to stop players from encroaching.

Saul Ais Reig, 38, was officiating Sunday afternoon's Segunda Division clash between Mirandes and FC Cartagena when he was forced to take action.

After a contentious decision required Reig to review the incident, players from both teams continued to pester the Spanish official.

But instead of being civil as they continued to ignore him, Reig decided to use his vanishing spray to draw a line on the pitch as a barrier.

And it worked. The likes of Alberto Rodríguez, Luis Munoz and Isak Jansson remained behind the line as the referee walked away to discuss the incident with his fellow officials.

Mirandes, who currently sit 13th in LaLiga 2, would go on to earn all three points thanks to goals from Carlos Martin and Sergio Barcia.

But the biggest talking point at the Estadio Municipal de Anduva was Reig's 'genius' idea to use the vanishing spray.

One fan wrote: "Decent idea to be fair," while another commented: "Give the players a clear line or they'll get punished for stepping over. This might catch on."

A third said: "This needs to be adopted in all leagues where VAR is present or let the ref go to the centre circle and book any player that encroaches while ref is in communication with VAR's assistant."

A fourth added: "It's so funny. 'I really wanted to get right in his face, but then he drew a line with shaving cream, so I couldn't.' Was waiting for one of them to walk around the line."

It was another evening to forget for FC Cartagena, who currently sit bottom of the Spanish second division with six points from 13 games.