Vuvuzela

I've changed my mind on the swarm of bees known as the vuvuzela at the World Cup. I used to think they were annoying and welcomed the news that FIFA were considering banning them in the grounds if they could be used as weapons. Broadcasters all over the world have been complaining at the constant noise as much as their viewers and listeners. A couple of comments on a radio show changed my mind however.

1. Fans are being disenfranchised from football the world over in favour of corporate interests, the vuvuzelas are the real sound of real fans. It may even become a protest method in clubs where the clubs owners are seemingly going against the interests of their fans; until the clubs ban them.
2. A huge part of every world tournament is to allow the host nation to play host to the world, showing their culture, people, values etc. Like it or not, the vuvuzela is a part of that, and will likely be the identifying feature of South Africa 2010 in years to come.

Knowing that does not make them any less annoying however. I would not be surprised to find some broadcasters pay some locals to go to a game and throw a vuvuzela onto the pitch to provoke FIFA into introducing a ban.