Austria bans vuvuzelas – but not because of the noise

July 17, 2009

The Austrian professional football league on Thursday imposed a stadium ban on the long plastic trumpet, the vuvuzela, which made such a noisy impression in last month’s Confederations Cup in South Africa.

But the league said the vuvuzelas were being banned not for the deafening and tuneless din they produce but because they might be used as missiles.

“Vuvuzelas can be used as projectiles. Furthermore, they can incite aggressive behaviour amongst other fans,” Austrian league spokesman Christian Kircher said.

Newly-promoted Wiener Neustadt had been counting on handing out 150 vuvuzelas to fans to make some noise during the league’s seasonal kick-off at home on Friday against Austria Carinthia.

The trumpets caused consternation among some in South Africa for the Confed Cup, with several non-African players and coaches calling for their ban.

But the president of world football’s governing body FIFA, Sepp Blatter, has given them his blessing, blasting the detractors by telling them Africa is about dance and music and that moaning about the instrument bordered on discrimination.

VIENNA (AFP)

Tags: aggressive behaviour, Austria, blatter, body fifa, Carinthia, Christian Kircher, confed cup, confederations cup, consternation, dance and music, detractors, discrimination, FIFA, governing body, kircher, missiles, Newly-promoted, professional football league, projectiles, Sepp Blatter, South Africa, trumpet, Vienna, vuvuzela, WC Qualifying South-Africa, wiener neustadt, world football

Porto coach banned from touchline for United clash

April 15, 2009

PARIS (AFP) – Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira will watch Wednesday’s Champions League return against Manchester United from the bench after UEFA ruled on appeal an initial two-game ban for misconduct should be cut to that one match.

Ferreira had initially received a two-match ban for criticising the referee in the previous round against Atletico Madrid on February 24, when Porto had a ruled out.

Ferreira took his place in the dugout at Old Trafford pending the appeal but will now have to watch fron the sidelines at the Dragao stadium as his team seek to put out the holders having drawn the away leg 2-2.

UEFA meanwhile upheld a 25,000 euros fine against Porto fans for insulting chanting and throwing projectiles in Madrid.