This World Cup has seen a new menace on the terrace. The Vuvuzela with its loud monotonous sound has been the bane of football fans all over the globe. There have been calls to have it banned at matches but is that really fair? This article will take a look at this instrument and also at other forms of terrace noise making.
The Vuvuzela
The Vuvuzela is a horn which can reach up to a metre long. It is played simply by blowing into it and can reach decibels of nearly 127 decibels. It has been popular in South Africa since the 1990's and has been adopted by the South African Football Association as an important part of the football experience.
The noise of the Vuvuzela fills the stadium and can seem quite intimidating. Commentators have complained at not being able to do their work and there have also been health and safety fears ranging from hearing loss to being used as a hooligan weapon.
Calls to Ban Vuvuzela
This has all prompted calls to ban the instrument from football stadiums. You can't turn on a World Cup match without seeing some debate surrounding the instrument. Finally this week a decision was made by World Cup chiefs not to ban the Vuvuzela. Sepp Blatter called them an essential part of the South African football experience.
And isn't this what the World Cup is all about?
Every four years the Cup is held in a different country. It gives that country a chance to show the world their culture and from that we can gain a greater respect and understanding of their people. The World Cup is meant as a showpiece for football and unity through fair competition.
Wooden Rattles
Of course, the Vuvuzela isn't the first instrument to cause consternation on the terraces. Back in the good old days stadiums such as Anfield or Old Trafford would be filled with the sound of wooden rattles. These were eventually banned has they could cause quite a bit of damage if they hit someone. European stadiums are often lit up by flares which may look impressive but could cause serious burns.
Terrace culture has changed a lot over the years. The need to counteract hooliganism and make stadiums more safe have seen grounds change beyond all recognition. In the past there would be a certain atmosphere to be gained by being crammed in at the Kop End at Anfield with your wooden rattle and scarf. Nowadays a football fan has his own seat and has to settle for their singing voice to create an atmosphere so having the option of using a Vuvuzela certainly adds a bit of flavour to the match.
Martyn Coppack - I am a writer who is just starting out and am looking to concentrate on film, music and literature. Having passed my degree in English and ...
