The vuvuzela is an integral part of a fan’s armoury in Africa, the noisy plastic trumpet as essential an item as getting decked out in the national colours or painting one’s face.
But the din created by the instruments which can reach a deafening crescendo especially when South Africa have the ball has prompted complaints from some players and television stations.
The latter say the vuvuzela makes commentary tricky while the former, well at least one based in Europe, Xabi Alonso, complain it makes communication amongst players difficult.
Maicon, the Brazilian defender who was named man of the match after his contribution including the third goal in Brazil’s 3-0 win over the United States, said he wasn’t worried by them.
“I don’t listen to noise from fans, it doesn’t concern me,” he told the post-match press conference at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld stadium.
“It might have an impact on other people but certainly I have no complaints.”
His Brazil boss Dunga remarked: “It’s not my job to decide – we can’t rule on that in one day, we’d have to look at all the pros and cons, whether it’s better or worse not to have trumpets – I’m sure they’ll (FIFA) make the right decision.”
FIFA president Sepp Blatter raised the matter ahead of Thursday’s Group B game here, saying: “It’s a local sound and I don’t know how it is possible to stop it.
“I always said that when we go to South Africa, it is Africa. It’s not western Europe.
“It’s noisy, it’s energy, rhythm, music, dance, drums. This is Africa. We have to adapt a little.”
Alonso knows what he would do with them if he was making the decision.
“I think they should be banned,” said the Spain midfielder.
“We’re used to when people shout but not to this trumpet noise which doesn’t allow you to concentrate and is unbearable.”
But one person at the Confed Cup is a fan – 16-uear-old South African Zoe Goetaan who bought a red one to support Spain.
“I like to make noise and to make a good atmosphere,” she said.
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