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World Cup organising committee head Danny Jordaan on Sunday did not rule out banning vuvuzelas, the noisy plastic trumpets that have proved a hit with fans in South Africa but threaten to deafen players and viewers alike.
Criticism of the vuvuzelas has been almost as loud as the instruments themselves with broadcasting companies complaining the din is almost drowning out commentary.
“We’ve tried to get some order,” said Jordaan.
“We have asked for no vuvuzelas during national anthems or during stadium announcements. I know it’s a difficult question,” he added, saying that “we’re trying to manage the best we can.
“We heard from the broadcasters and individuals and it’s something we are evaluating on an on-going base.
Jordaan told the BBC in an interview that he had to consider the option of banning the trumpets.
“If there are grounds to do so, yes,” he said, asked if a ban was an option.
France captain Patrice Evra said the incessant noise was a factor in his side’s poor display in their draw with Uruguay.
According to Evra: “We can’t sleep at night because of the vuvuzelas. People start playing them from 6am. We can’t hear one another out on the pitch because of them,” the Frenchman added.
Jordaan said: “I would prefer singing” and called on fans to chant instead.
“In the days of the struggle (against apartheid) we were singing, all through our history. It’s our ability to sing that inspired and drove the emotions.”
Cristiano Ronaldo added his voice Sunday to the complaints about the wall of sound being made by the vuvuzela trumpets at the World Cup, protesting they disturb the players’ concentration.
“It is difficult for anyone on the pitch to concentrate,” the Portugal star told a press conference.
“A lot of players don’t like them, but they are going to have to get used to them.”
The metre-long plastic vuvuzelas have been a hit with fans at the World Cup stadiums in South Africa, but the noise of thousands being blown at once resembles a high-volume swarm of buzzing bees.
“Teams have done nothing but criticise the vuvuzelas, but you have to respect them,” Real Madrid midfielder Ronaldo said.
“Hardly anyone likes them, but the people who do like them are those who like to blow the instruments and make a racket.”
As well as the vuvuzelas, Ronaldo said he was getting used to the much-criticised World Cup match ball.
“I’m more used to it than I was two weeks ago. I don’t think it will be a problem,” he said.
“We’ve trained enough with it to get accustomed to it and I’m sure the dribbles, the shots and the corners with it will all be fine.”
Portugal start their Group G matches against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
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