SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Football fans defend noisy vuvuzelas

Record ID: 453825

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - Football fans defend noisy vuvuzelas
  • Date: 14th June 2010
  • Summary: CHILDREN BLOWING VUVUZELAS
  • Embargoed: 29th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA80GN4AP55WXXR6K781Y3YMVCC
  • Story Text: Fans defend the noisy vuvuzelas which most football players and broadcasters complain are too loud especially during the World Cup matches.
    Football fans watching the World Cup tournament in South Africa defended the noisy vuvuzelas on Sunday (June 13) following reports that it could be banned.
    Football players and broadcast commentators have complained that the traditional South African trumpets are too noisy and distract them from doing their tasks.
    Portuguese team captain Cristiano Ronaldo has joined the chorus of players to complain over the loud vuvuzelas at matches, but says players need to accept it and adapt.
    And football fans were quick to defend this plastic noisemaker.
    "They want to ban them...Why? This is an Africa World Cup and it belongs to us. We must shout the vuvuzela, why not. You must blow and blow and blow and blow till the end of the World Cup. They must take it to Brazil also for the next World Cup," said one resident of Cape Town.
    Other fans echoed their love for the trumpet as a representation of South African culture.
    "Why would you want to ban this? Why would you want to ban the vuvuzela it's part of South Africa, it's part of Cape Town. That's how we do it. I don't think you should ban it," two Capetonian friends said.
    The plastic trumpets have been a symbol of the tournament and given the World Cup a unique African character. Many fans blow on them during the entire match which leaves a constant buzzing sound throughout the match.
    Complaints over the vuvuzela first began at last year's Confederations Cup when European broadcasters said viewers complained the instrument drowned out the noise of the commentary on television.
    "It's crazy. I mean they said in the Confederations Cup the players couldn't hear the managers on the sidelines but I can't believe that is the case down on the pitch. Plus players know what they need to do when they get on the pitch. So I can't think of any valid reason for banning them, I think they're really making this World Cup so far," said one visiting English fan.
    FIFA have consistently rejected the complaints but World Cup organising chief Danny Jordaan told the BBC they would consider banning the instrument if complaints gather pace.
    Many fans use the vuvuzelas and many foreigners in South Africa have taken a liking to the unique sound, blowing them in matches and in fan parks.
    A ban could spark anger amongst Africans who feel their World Cup atmosphere is being dictated by rich European broadcasters.
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