Until this year, few folks have ever associated sports with musical instruments. You might have never thought of basketball every time you’ve heard a theremin, or considered rugby whenever you hear the sound of a harpsichord. But since the 2009 2009 Confederations Cup, soccer has been associated with a traditional South African horn.
This soccer horn – better referred to as the vuvuzela – happens to be one of the primary trends in soccer fandom. Initially it was made of tin — back when it was known simply as a traditional instrument among native South Africans. But these days the vuvuzela is usually manufactured from plastic. It was first used as a soccer-related noisemaker by fans of rival teams the Orlando Pirates and Kaiser Chiefs. Once the South African national team made it to this year’s 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, their fans brough vuvuzelas to the overall game… where they immediately caused a controversy.
What you may have guessed is that the vuvuzela is ridiculously loud. So when half the stadium has one, it sounds like only a swarm of giant mutant bees terrorizing the game. If you’re a player, trying to focus on stealing a ball or defending an objective net, those bees can be somewhat distracting. Hence the controversy.
Some fans and commentators believe that the horns shouldn’t be allowed at professional games. FIFA has given vuvuzelas their approval on the protests of some European and South American fans, players and broadcasters. Those folks think the vuvuzela is little more than a party noisemaker.
In 해외축구중계 , soccer officials have banned the horns — against FIFA wishes. Claiming fans may use vuvuzelas as missiles to heave at players or other fans, stadium bosses no longer allow them. Other detractors claim the noise is simply too jarring for everyone.
But supporters of the vuvuzela claim the horn is a colorful and essential requirement of South African culture, and banning it will be no more fair than banning chanting at English games, or cow bells at Swiss games.
Due to FIFA’s approval, the vuvuzela will be allowed at coming World Cup games. So when soccer grows in popularity worldwide, it’s unlikely the horns will disappear from games forever.
