Future of noisy trumpet to be discussed by FIFA

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By Mark Gleeson

RUSTENBURG, South Africa, June 17 - FIFA is to discuss the future of the vuvuzela, the noisy plastic trumpet blown at the Confederations Cup which has drawn complaints from European television stations.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter told a media briefing he was aware of complaints the din of the instrument was drowning out the commentary of broadcasters and that they wanted it banned at this tournament and next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Blatter said soccer's governing body would discuss the matter with the organisers.

"It's a local sound and I don't know how it is possible to stop it," he said on Wednesday. "I always said that when we go to South Africa, it is Africa. It's not western Europe.

"It's noisy, it's energy, rhythm, music, dance, drums. This is Africa. We have to adapt a little."

Vuvuzelas, which have been given away free to fans, are a constant background to Confederations Cup games.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said last year the vuvuzela would not be banned unless it was used as a weapon by fighting fans.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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