Vuvuzela banned on health grounds

THEIR monotonous drone became known around the globe during the football World Cup in South Africa during the past month.

Despite fierce criticism and complaints from spectators and players alike, FIFA refused to ban the humble vuvuzela horn in South African stadiums saying it was a fan tradition in that country.

But authorities in Cyprus yesterday banned the vuvuzela from football games, just as it started making its appearance on the island.

“In the event vuvuzelas are found carried by fans inside sporting venues or neighbouring areas they will be seized,” police spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said.

Some fans have been spotted carrying the horns during European fixtures in recent days.

Katsounotos said the vuvuzelas had been deemed hazardous objects.

“A dangerous object is anything which can be used in such a way that it can potentially cause bodily harm or material damage,” Katsounotos said.

He said vuvuzelas carried a warning that their use could cause problems in people’s health, especially their hearing, and based on this, police proceeded to ban them from sporting events.

“One can easily understand what will happen if they are allowed in closed venues,” Katsounotos said.

The police spokesman said the horn will be sent to the state services for tests to determine the intensity of its sound and how dangerous it is for people.

It seems like the sound is much stronger than what the human ear can tolerate “thus we judge that we have to ban it as a first precautionary measure,” Katsounotos said.

He added that there was no law banning their use outside the stadiums, so it was up to people to use it without putting others at risk.

It has been reported that during the World Cup, many fans turned to earplugs for relief. Broadcasters covering the games said the buzzing noise drowned out the natural crowd reaction noises that make viewers watching at home feel like they are at the stadium. Players and coaches also voiced criticism.