Irish sports adopting a more relaxed attitude to the vuvuzela

OPPOSITION to the dreaded vuvuzela is beginning to escalate in England but sporting organisations here in Ireland are, in general, taking a more laissez-faire reaction to the ear-splitting plastic airhorn that provided the soundtrack to the first African-hosted World Cup.

The GAA did announce in the midst of the FIFA event that vuvuzelas were banned from Croke Park and that any spectators seen using the ‘instrument’ would it confiscated but that decree has not been adopted nationwide.

“We made a call on Croke Park alone but other grounds are entitled to act to remove or ban them if they see fit,” said GAA spokesman Alan Milton yesterday.

So far, a few have been seen at grounds across the country though rarely heard.

The FAI is leaving it to individual clubs while it has yet to decide on its policy for the Aviva Stadium. “We haven’t officially banned them but we don’t anticipate them being a problem as they have yet to be heard at Airtricity League matches,” said a spokesman.

As of yet, only one Airtricity League side, Bray Wanderers, has banned the vuvuzela. Jack O’Neill, the club’s General Manager, claimed at the time that he had the “displeasure” of sitting near one of the horns and “made the decision within minutes of hearing its unique sound”.

ERC chiefs, who organise the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cups, have likewise said that any decision on the matter would be left to the host clubs in either competition but soccer clubs in England have proven to be more proactive in guarding against the monotonous drone.

Arsenal yesterday followed north London rivals Tottenham in banning vuvuzelas, Spurs having made the decision on Monday night, the first Premier League club to do so. A number of npower Football League clubs have already taken similar steps.

A statement Arsenal’s website read: “Further to their hugely debated involvement at this summer’s World Cup Finals in South Africa, Arsenal Football Club has decided to forbid the use of vuvuzelas within Emirates Stadium with immediate effect.

“This decision has been taken to ensure the enjoyment and safety of supporters on Matchdays, which is of paramount importance to the club.”

West Ham then followed suit yesterday afternoon citing a contravention of stadium health and safety regulations which already prohibit the use of musical instruments.

A West Ham club statement said: “Under the current health and safety regulations at the stadium, which already disallows musical bands, we would not allow them (vuvuzelas) into the stadium as they could be considered a weapon and could also be considered to be an annoyance to others.”

Meanwhile, Blackpool were forced to dismiss suggestions they might welcome vuvuzelas at Bloomfield Road in the hope of intimidating opponents during their debut Premier League season.

A club spokesman said: “We haven’t really given any full consideration to vuvuzelas at the moment. We’ve had plenty of other things occupying the mind with a debut season in the Barclays Premier League to prepare for.

“Any decision will be taken in due course and in consultation with relevant supporter groups.”