Tottenham Hotspur Become The First Premier League Side To Ban Vuvuzelas
Club cite public safety as main reason for ban...
Tottenham Hotspur have become the first Premier League side to official ban the vuvuzela from their ground.The now infamous instrument came to prominence during this summer's World Cup 2010 in South Africa with the noisy sound becoming a staple aspect of the tournament.
Rugby officials have already taken the step to ban the trumpet from 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, whereas the Premier League stated that they would leave the decision of permission up to individual clubs.
Spurs issued a statement on their official site to announce their new stance, citing public safety due to the sound created possibilily drowning out any emergency safety announcements.
"Following discussions with the Police and representatives from the local licensing authorities, the club will not be permitting vuvuzelas or similar instruments into White Hart Lane on matchday," the statement read."We are concerned that the presence of the instruments within the stadium pose unnecessary risks to public safety and could impact on the ability of all supporters to hear any emergency safety announcements."
The vuvuzela's main criticism in South Africa was that it affected the natural atmosphere at football games with the sound of the crowd unable to be heard over the instrument, and the Champions League debutant's appear to agree.
The statement continued: "We are very proud of the fantastic atmosphere that our supporters produce organically at White Hart Lane and we are all very much looking forward to this continuing into the forthcoming season."
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/07/19/2033173/tottenham-hotspur-become-the-first-premier-league-side-to
