Now that construction has resumed on numerous South African stadiums after a short one week labor strike, the 2010 World Cup should go on as originally planned. With the debut of the world’s largest sporting event on African soil also comes the inception of some of Africa’s cultures and traditions- in this case the Vuvuzela.
Some football commentators, players and international audiences argued against the vuvuzela during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. During the match between United States and Italy, BBC 3 commentator Lee Dixon referred to the sounds as “quite irritating”. FIFA received complaints from multiple European broadcasters who want it banned for the 2010 FIFA World Cup because the sound is drowning out the commentators. Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk and Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso also called for a ban, the latter saying the horns make it hard for players to communicate and concentrate while adding nothing to the atmosphere. –Wikipedia excerpt
The vuvuzela is a cornerstone of African culture. To ban the instrument from the World Cup is to commit a crime against the people of South Africa. FIFA president Sepp Blatter did not want to ban the horns originally but is now being forced by other high European officials to reconsider.
If it was up to me I would only allow South African supporters to blow the horns at South African matches as they know how to properly utilize the instrument. If you watch any 2009 Confederations Cup matches you know how annoying these horns can be when thousands of fans who don’t know how to use them are blowing them.
However, FIFA cannot ban these horns while the World Cup is in South Africa to their own fans. It would be like banning flares from Croatian fans. Criminal, I know.
I also agree with you guys that these horns are extremely annoying as well as some of the costumes. However, this is South Africa's world cup, and if they want to blow horns all game, well then blowing is what they will be doing.
@Alex
"Croats and flares" "tradition"-hooliganism"
both of these cause problems in the crowds. Until South Africans start using these horns as weapons or start tossing them onto the pitch, the fans will only be treated for severe migraines.
Hopefully, South Africa will get a difficult draw and wont advance passed the first round.
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Best,
N
It should defintely be banned, as well as those ridiculous looking costumes. They hurt mine eyes, something should be done about those obnoxious ape dances. It is quite annoying, a nice way of showing pride would be to show closeness to the historic culture, not acting and dressing like buffoons. Somethings moe adequaete, such as a bone through the nose etc. Truly inspiring
Best,
N
First off, those disgusting things have only been around in South Africa for 4-5 years, evidently. Besides, if Fifa's so concerned about everyones "traditions", will Blatter endorse the English "tradition"-hooliganism-when they host their next tournemant? Someone mentioned Croats and flares- the thing is, flares are totally illegal at FIFA events. So why should these things be differant? I suspect it's about European guilt- Blatter and co. Don't want to be labelled "culturally insensitive"(ie, racist).
Lets just say those things have nothing to do with culture nor music. There is no rhythm in or groove of any kind involved in them. They blow them for 90 minutes for nothing but to annoy. Fact: If we have some ultras fans come in of any team in the world there is going to be some dirty fighting with those people. Singing atleast brings in some kind of culture but those horns are just annoying and 90% of people think so to. Players and coaches and fans are all going to complain and not want to play at those kind of places again.
Those horns are extremely annoying. Don't these horn blowers realise that or are they just that ignorant?
@ Joze,
I'll take the horn noise should Croatia qualify for a playoff and then win that match. But yeh it's pretty bad.
But then again this is all South Africans have as an identity. You can't take it away from them just like that.
I agree, they are really obnoxious. It would be logical to only let the South African supporters use them but I don't think FIFA could implement such a policy.
I CAN NOT WATCH FOOTBALL WITH IT!
it is so annoying. not vene at South Africa matches, imagine if Croatia plays them and we have to listen to that for 90 minutes..