World Cup Debate: On Reflection, Should FIFA Ban The Vuvuzela For 2010?

Stringent opposers of Josep Blatter's rule over the world's governing body of football, FIFA, found further notions of his to which to object when the decision to hold the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 was made. The Confederations Cup last month, though, gave an indication of what supporters can expect next summer. Vibrancy, passion, atmosphere, character, cheer, and, of course, the now infamous vuvuzela.

While the tournament was rightly lauded as a success, transport issues and vuvus were the two issues that commentators suggested will need remedying in under 12 months time. On reflection, did the vuvuzela poison the Confederations Cup as much as some sections of the western media liked to suggest? One British broadcaster went as far as to highlight how each vuvuzela is accompanied with a health warning. Bring ear-plugs to the World Cup next year, the report warned.

Blatter, for all the criticism flung his way for his contentious past comments, perhaps had heads nodding with his claim that there is little point in holding the globe's greatest sporting competition in an African country if the thought process that shackled it was to 'Europeanise' it's flavour.

The vuvuzela is no new phenomenon. It's been embedded into South African culture for far longer than the Mexican wave, the English rattle, or the South American bass drum, as Goal.com's man in South Africa Peter Pedroncelli explained to me, "The Vuvuzela is a key fans item in South African football that has had an important place at domestic club and international matches for as long as I can remember.

"In Southern African history, the spiral kudu horn became the instrument of choice for ritual occasions, dancing and generally making music. That developed into a long tin horn that has been used at religious ceremonies. Today, worshippers from the charismatic Shembe Church use traditional tin vuvuzelas to make a joyful noise unto the Lord at their days-long festivals."

He continued, "With a sound like the trumpeting of a bad-tempered elephant, vuvuzelas are excellent noise-makers, so they eventually found there way into football stadiums and mainstream South African culture. Although their strongest association is with football, they’re used at many other sporting events."

The vuvuzela has even gone so far as to spur-on and inspire the nation's athletes. Donia Kamstra, a silver medal winner at the 2005 World Marathon Canoeing championships, said, "As we came under the bridge on every lap, we heard those vuvus, and we just knew they were cheering us on."

Noise-makers on match-day are not exclusive to fans following Bafana Bafana. The English rattle can manufacture no melody, but would not produce as much noise as the vuvu. To raise the decibels, a brass band belts out 'Rule Britannia' from the opening whistle to the game's conclusion, whenever the England national team play home or abroad. In South America, like Europe, supporters have several ways to create atmosphere such as the 'Bombo' (bass drum), trumpets (especially at Boca Juniors fixtures), and then the more controversial 'Bengalas' (flares), which are also popular in Eastern Europe. Interestingly, horns have been banned in the past score of years in an Asian league. When the J-League started in 1992 horns were found at certain games, but local residents complained about the noise produced and restrictions were consequently enforced by the league's administrators.

The vuvuzela is not a local issue in South Africa. The majority of locals enjoy the experience of a game flowered with a vuvu-environment. It seems it's the rest of the world who carry issue. Goal.com caught up with a variety of people close to the Confederations Cup, who were all to eager to share their thoughts on the instrument at the forefront of football fans' minds.

Rubin, a freelance cameraman, said, "It would be like taking away the essence of a place and its people. I admit it gets loud sometimes, but I have enjoyed it because it is part of the passion of South African people."

Sizwe, a volunteer on matchday, countered, "They are too much to handle on a daily basis. I am loving the volunteer work and helping people throughout the stadium, but it would be better if the Vuvuzela’s were kept to a minimum. I don’t think they should be banned, just not used as much as they are."

Is there a compromise? Should a limited amount of vuvuzelas be issued outside stadiums during the World Cup, or is such an action part of an arrogance that should not even be considered? Goal.com wants to know what you think...

Alan Dawson, Goal.com