Embrace vuvuzela say organisers

Local organisers of this summer's World Cup have again called on critics of the vuvuzela to "embrace it", insisting it is here to stay.

The noise from the trumpet-like plastic horn has been likened to a herd of stampeding elephants or the drone of a thousand bees, which has left many foreigners at the finals annoyed.

The issue has been raised several times in recent days and again came to the fore when organising chief CEO Danny Jordaan spoke of the possibility of banning vuvuzelas from inside stadiums.

But Local Organising Committee (LOC) chief communications officer, Rich Mkhondo, said: "The CEO's quotes were taken out of context in that they didn't actually report the qualification which he gave. Those qualifications include if people misuse the vuvuzelas for other purposes.

"What he said yesterday is what he said in June last year - a year ago now.

"During the Confederations Cup, similar concerns were raised and we did say that vuvuzelas characterise in 2010 the FIFA Wold Cup in South Africa."

Mkhondo added there was no chance of barring the plastic horn from stadia, adding: "Vuvuzelas are here to stay and will never be banned.

"It's part of our culture, so embrace it."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter appears to be in favour of allowing the instruments to remain a part of the tournament.

Responding to the ongoing debate about their use inside stadia, Blatter posted a message of support on his Twitter page.

The post read: "To answer all your messages re the Vuvuzelas. I have always said that Africa has a different rhythm, a different sound.

"I don't see banning the music traditions of fans in their own country. Would you want to see a ban on the fan traditions in your country?"