Vuvuzelas banned for European Championship qualifiers

UEFA has banned the vuvuzela from matches during the upcoming qualifiers for the European Championships.

The governing body for European football has decided that banning the trumpet,which divided opinion at the South Africa World Cup in the summer, falls within their jurisdiction.

The ruling means vuvuzelas will not be heard at Euro 2012 qualifiers or at Champions League and Europa League fixtures.

A UEFA statement read: "The World Cup was characterised by the vuvuzela's widespread and permanent use in the stands. In the specific context of South Africa, the vuvuzela adds a touch of local flavour and folklore, but UEFA feels that the instrument's widespread use would not be appropriate in Europe, where a continuous loud background noise would be emphasised.

"UEFA is of the view that the vuvuzelas would completely change the atmosphere, drowning supporter emotions and detracting from the experience of the game.

"To avoid the risk of these negative effects in the stadiums where UEFA competitions are played and to protect the culture and tradition of football in Europe ... UEFA has decided with immediate effect that vuvuzelas will not be allowed in the stadiums where UEFA competitions matches are played."