VUVUZELAS have been described as annoying, distracting and very African. And they're set to dominate this year's world cup.
A South African supporter blows his vuvuzela ahead of their international friendly football match against Bulgaria at the Orlando stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg. on May 24, 2010. Source: Herald Sun
You may never have heard a vuvuzela before, but after next month’s World Cup, its sound will be bored into your brain.
These simple plastic trumpets – which emit a high-pitched drone – are beloved by South Africa soccer fans, who blow them ceaselessly from the first whistle to the last.
Its sound is so ear-splittingly distracting, opposition teams are already complaining about it.
Listen to the unmistakable vuvuzela sound here.
English soccer legend Bryan Robson, who now coaches Thailand, issued a warning after his team lost to South Africa in mid-May.
"The coaches at the World Cup are definitely going to have to inform their players beforehand that they will have to communicate effectively with each other on the field,” Robson said.
"It's very difficult to get any message to the players from the bench. Coaches are going to have to make that known to their players."
He thought the noise provided a tangible boost for the home team.
"With that noise they could have an advantage in the World Cup," he said.
"If the atmosphere is like that in the World Cup it will raise the level of the players a little bit. If the supporters are behind them like that, it will be a big boost.”
Naturally, the hosts see it as a positive.
"We have to reinforce that advantage," said South Africa's coach Carlos Alberto Parreira in response. "We want it louder and louder."
The origin of the word “vuvuzela” is unclear, with some people claiming it originated from the Zulu word for "making noise," others saying it’s because of the "vuvu" sound it makes, or from township slang related to the word for "shower."
Whatever its linguistic history, there no questioning the impact it will make in June.
Teams and broadcasters complained about the cacophony during last year’s Confederation Cup, saying it drowned our communication and commentators.
"I think (vuvuzelas) should be banned. They make it very difficult for the players to communicate with each other and to concentrate,” Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso said. “They are a distraction and do nothing for the atmosphere.”
After playing in South Africa last year, Japan asked FIFA to ban the vuvuzela.
"We have requested that the South African FA cut that noise out," Japan Football Association (JFA) president Motoaki Inukai said.
"You can't hear yourself speak. I will be bringing it up (with FIFA president Sepp Blatter).”
Japanese defender Tulio said: "You can't hear what your teammates are saying from two metres away. You have to go up to them to give instructions."
FIFA quickly moved to rule out any thought of banning them from the World Cup, saying they were an integral part of African soccer culture.
“Vuvuzelas, drums and singing are part of African football culture. It is part of their celebration, it is part of their culture,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
“In South Africa, the vuvuzela is the main instrument of self expression, it is just that overseas countries do not use it.”
In the end, most competitors from visiting countries have had a similar response to Bulgaria’s coach, who faced the vuvuzelas for the first time last week.
"I also had problems in communicating with my players because of the noise. But then I understand that this is a South African tradition that we have to live with for as long as we are coming to play them here," said Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov.
A South African supporter blows his vuvuzela ahead of their international friendly football match against Bulgaria at the Orlando stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg. on May 24, 2010. Source: Herald Sun
You may never have heard a vuvuzela before, but after next month’s World Cup, its sound will be bored into your brain.
These simple plastic trumpets – which emit a high-pitched drone – are beloved by South Africa soccer fans, who blow them ceaselessly from the first whistle to the last.
Its sound is so ear-splittingly distracting, opposition teams are already complaining about it.
Listen to the unmistakable vuvuzela sound here.
English soccer legend Bryan Robson, who now coaches Thailand, issued a warning after his team lost to South Africa in mid-May.
"The coaches at the World Cup are definitely going to have to inform their players beforehand that they will have to communicate effectively with each other on the field,” Robson said.
"It's very difficult to get any message to the players from the bench. Coaches are going to have to make that known to their players."
He thought the noise provided a tangible boost for the home team.
"With that noise they could have an advantage in the World Cup," he said.
"If the atmosphere is like that in the World Cup it will raise the level of the players a little bit. If the supporters are behind them like that, it will be a big boost.”
Naturally, the hosts see it as a positive.
"We have to reinforce that advantage," said South Africa's coach Carlos Alberto Parreira in response. "We want it louder and louder."
The origin of the word “vuvuzela” is unclear, with some people claiming it originated from the Zulu word for "making noise," others saying it’s because of the "vuvu" sound it makes, or from township slang related to the word for "shower."
Whatever its linguistic history, there no questioning the impact it will make in June.
Teams and broadcasters complained about the cacophony during last year’s Confederation Cup, saying it drowned our communication and commentators.
"I think (vuvuzelas) should be banned. They make it very difficult for the players to communicate with each other and to concentrate,” Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso said. “They are a distraction and do nothing for the atmosphere.”
After playing in South Africa last year, Japan asked FIFA to ban the vuvuzela.
"We have requested that the South African FA cut that noise out," Japan Football Association (JFA) president Motoaki Inukai said.
"You can't hear yourself speak. I will be bringing it up (with FIFA president Sepp Blatter).”
Japanese defender Tulio said: "You can't hear what your teammates are saying from two metres away. You have to go up to them to give instructions."
FIFA quickly moved to rule out any thought of banning them from the World Cup, saying they were an integral part of African soccer culture.
“Vuvuzelas, drums and singing are part of African football culture. It is part of their celebration, it is part of their culture,” FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
“In South Africa, the vuvuzela is the main instrument of self expression, it is just that overseas countries do not use it.”
In the end, most competitors from visiting countries have had a similar response to Bulgaria’s coach, who faced the vuvuzelas for the first time last week.
"I also had problems in communicating with my players because of the noise. But then I understand that this is a South African tradition that we have to live with for as long as we are coming to play them here," said Bulgaria coach Stanimir Stoilov.