Bloody soundmakers
Or, in this case, Vuvuzelas.
I’m not really that into football, to be honest. I know that’s sacrilegious of an English man to say, but it’s the truth, I find it a largely boring sport to watch. But when it’s countries playing then I find it at least a little interesting, so I usually check out the FIFA World Cup when it’s on.
However, this time round, there’s one particular aspect to the games that makes them pretty much intolerable to watch. The bloody noisemakers, in this case the Vuvuzelas. Seriously, turn the game on and it’s like a million moronic bumble bees made their way into your inner ear drum and you’ve got a fair idea.
Players, coaches, and fans all called for these things to be banned from the World Cup, but basically as they’re an instrument native to South Africa, they’ve been allowed to remain at the games as they’re part of the South African football culture.
Now, I don’t really think that’s fair, because fans are using the things to put the players off, and normally that’d not be an issue, but when just one of these things is louder than a chainsaw, the players are actually being affected by these. I don’t really feel that this annoying noise should be allowed, because it’s intensely off-putting for those of us watching the game and the World Cup is supposed to be enjoyed by the entire world, not just the country playing host.
When FIFA did consider banning the instrument, the reason wasn’t because of the noise, but because of concerns that they would be used by companies as a means of advertising during the World Cup, or of course, as weapons at the games. Such a damn pity they allowed the bloody things, as they are so damn annoying.
Now, I know that, when used correctly, they can actually be coordinated into music, but that’s not what’s happening at the games. What’s happening is thousands of people blowing away any chance that I’m going to be anything less than tense whilst watching the games. I’ve managed to watch one game so far, and I can sort of tune out the sound of the Vuvuzelas, but at the same time, I realise I’m slightly squinting the whole time against the din, even with my television as low as I can have it and still hear the commentary.
