UEFA Bans Vuvuzelas

Published by adam | Filed under Fifa World Cup South Africa 2010, Football (aka soccer)

UEFA has officially banned the infamous vuvuzelas from all European competitions. That includes the Champions League, Europa League and the Euro 2012 qualifiers. After heavy criticism and debate in the World Cup South Africa, UEFA has finally put its foot down and axed the damned things.

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UEFA came out with the following statement concerning the plastic magic,


“European football’s governing body has informed its 53 member associations that it has taken the move for reasons related to Europe’s football culture and tradition, saying that the atmosphere at matches would be changed by the sound of the vuvuzela,” UEFA said in a statement



“The World Cup was characterised by the vuvuzela’s widespread and permanent use in the stands. In the specific context of South Africa, the vuvuzela adds a touch of local flavour and folklore, but UEFA feels that the instrument’s widespread use would not be appropriate in Europe, where a continuous loud background noise would be emphasised.”


“The magic of football consists of the two-way exchange of emotions between the pitch and the stands, where the public can transmit a full range of feelings to the players. However, UEFA is of the view that the vuvuzelas would completely change the atmosphere, drowning supporter emotions and detracting from the experience of the game.


“To avoid the risk of these negative effects in the stadiums where UEFA competitions are played and to protect the culture and tradition of football in Europe – singing, chanting etc. – UEFA has decided with immediate effect that vuvuzelas will not be allowed in the stadiums where UEFA competitions matches are played.”


After the vuvuzela was allowed as a cultural tool in South Africa, UEFA has now decided it is inappropriate for European matches. Okay, the vuvuzela is not apart of European culture and history. But is UEFA right to regulate culture and tradition? Shouldn’t the issue be decided on a more local level? Say, the stadium in which the match is played. If I was an Everton supporter, I would blow my heart out for Steven Pienaar.


That means none of these…