Sports world moves to muzzle the vuvuzela

DURBAN, South Africa (AP):

It may be a must-have for every football fan at the World Cup, but major sports venues around the globe are trying to make sure the blare of vuvuzelas doesn't catch on beyond South Africa.

The All England Club led the charge in discouraging the din of the plastic horns yesterday by banning them at this year's Wimbledon tournament. German football club Borussia Dortmund followed suit, saying the instruments - which have become a symbol of the 2010 World Cup - won't be welcome at matches next season.

While FIFA and local South African organisers are embracing the omnipresent drone of the cheap trumpets, other sports events certainly don't seem too fond of them.

"Out of courtesy to the players and their fellow spectators, we make a point of asking spectators not to bring items which could either cause a distraction or interfere with the enjoyment of the occasion," All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie said. "Rattles, klaxons and vuvuzelas all fall into that category and they will not be allowed into the grounds. Our message is do not bring them in the first place."

Wise move

That sort of pre-emptive strike might be a wise move. With souvenir vuvuzelas selling for as little as US$5, tens of thousands of fans are expected to return home from South Africa with a couple in their bags. In Britain, grocery store chain Sainsbury's said it had sold 43,000 vuvuzelas at a cost of £2 each - at a rate of one every two minutes.

But the constant drone during matches - often compared to the sound of a swarm of bees - has been a source of annoyance to both broadcasters and players.

Greece striker Fanis Gekas, speaking before his country earned a 2-1 win over Nigeria yesterday, is among those who have called for them to be banned because they stop players from communicating on the field.

In Britain, an aid group which supports people with hearing impairments praised the country's BBC public broadcaster for trying to limit the background noise with its interactive viewing service.

England's national coach Fabio Capello.