Australia must follow the lead of the Kiwis and ban those insidious Vuvuzelas. I’ve been a soccer fan since 1945 and a rugby fan for 40 years (to follow my son, a player).
I never thought the day would come when I switched off my 42″ TV bought especially for the World Cup.
I tried to watch the games but couldn’t stand the constant sound of the mindless blowing of the vuvuzelas.
If they are at our Aussie home games, or A-League games, I will not attend or watch on TV.
Apart from the club maybe getting increased revenue, I’m sure the sponsors will realise the loss of watchers and be unhappy. Surely, they have to be banned.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Fred - An interesting column. So, you will stop watching football if someone plays a trumpet! May I enquire how many A-League matches have you attended in the past 5 years? Why? Because, I just want to gauge if you a committed fan, whose views we need to be concerned about, or simply a fan who tunes in for major events? I've been an MVFC member for the past 4 years and, quite frankly, I hope the FFA, henceforth, only listens to the opinions of real Football fans.
Axel V
Guest
The same happens at Melbourne Victory games, pre-game there is a loud atmosphere, and then it gets drowned out by the loudest music you'll ever hear, followed by an idiot on a microphone with that voice you just want to punch in the throat, telling us to cheer...
Katipo
Guest
Fred, you're watching on TV? I have two words for you: mute button. What I find most annoying is the rock music played at rugby games. Too loud. It drowns out any crowd made atmosphere, conversations and vuvuzela's included. It is the primary reason I stopped buying a Waratah's season ticket and watch on TV only these days.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
As a SFC member the atmosphere at the SFS is great and full marks to the Cove for their great support. From what I've seen there has never been any serious trouble from fans or security and spectators get the freedoms they want. But I'm so glad the vuvuzelas and horns are banned - robs the game of the crowd noises, the surges in cheering and singing and the true sporting crowd atmosphere.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
The vuvuzelas came into vogue in Australia around 20 years ago (from memory) and were banned from most stadiums pretty well instantaneously. I believe it started with the cricket. Sadly things went overboard from there and trumpets and bugles etc were soon facing a similar fate at many stadiums.
st penguin
Guest
Anthony, I think think you're overlooking the effect it has on the non-vuvuzela playing spectators. One of the most enjoyable aspects of attending live matches is the sound. It is a reflection of the mood of the crowd. The groans when passes go astray, the singing to build up your team's enthusiasm, the wild cheering to celebrate goals, the jeering to taunt the opponents red card. Vuvuzelas take all this away and replace it with a contstant drone. No emotion, no ups and downs, just a constant hum. Maybe it's just me and my friends who think this, but I dont think that's the case. And your argument that banning one thing opens up the doors to ban everything. I don't think that makes much sense. A lot of things are already banned - that door is already open!
mds1970
Roar Guru
The SFS isn't too bad in that regard for A-League games. Sydney FC fans have a lot more freedom than Victory or Adelaide fans have; the security is a lot tighter at some other venues. The Cove are allowed to have drums and big flags, which are banned at some other grounds. But vuvuzelas are out.
Anthony Begbie
Roar Rookie
Lets ban trumpets and drums too, because they annoy people, and that annoying bell in the epl. I hate when im watching a football match and all i can hear is Singing and something about "Melbourne til i die". Dont those guys realise how out of tune and tone they are? Sometimes whilst im sitting and watching my match i get a bit of tissue paper on me, i recon they should be banned too. Fans should be allowed to support their teams the way they choose as long as they comply with the law (ie- no abuse, damage etc). You agree with the banning of one thing, you open up the doors to ban everything. I for one, am not bothered by the vuvuzela's; but i daresay the fact that so many people are playing them, that fans are enjoying the experience.
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
Did you really have to say the vuvuzelas are banned at the SFS? Sydney sports stadiums appear to have banned anything beyond sitting in your seat and watching in silent and unmoving appreciation of everyone and everything. Movement is only allowed if you are purchasing either a luke warm pie or light beer. You should of course also appreciate (in silence) the unique ability to embed so much cost into these items simply by moving them inside the ground perimeter.
The Bear
Guest
Is that why the players and coaches has said that they can't hear eachother??
mds1970
Roar Guru
The question was raised on the Sydney FC forum; and the Sydney Football Stadium have confirmed that vuvuzelas are banned from the SFS - a ban that has been in place since long before Sydney FC came into being and certainly before the 2010 World Cup. And there is no intention of relaxing the ban. So you won't be hearing vuvuzelas drowing out The Cove. I don't know for sure about other grounds, but I expect they'd also be banned elsewhere in the A-League.
Hombre
Roar Rookie
If you're only experience of them is via your TV then, I'm sorry, you can't make an informed opinion of them - the TV coverage amplifies their sound (esp the early round coverage - it appears the techs have been able to filter them out for the latter rounds) Live at games it's completely different - the sound dissipates and they're hardly a distraction at all
The Bear
Guest
100 percent agreed. Stop them at Customs.