Time Out by Simon_Doyle

For any sporting occasion to be truly great relies on a superb atmosphere, and more often than not this means noise, and lots of it.

Where would Brazil be without the drum beat of the samba? How would the Barmy Army fare without their trumpeter? And what would become of Liverpool without their 12^th man (no not the referee, but the famed Kop)

Fact is, we come to expect these almost tribal traditions, whatever the sport, so it's strange that a call has been made to ban the one of South African football fan's favourite 'weapons' - the vuvuzela.

The Japan Football Association have led calls for the plastic vuvuzela trumpet to be banned from the World Cup in South Africa next year, claiming the incessant noise makes it impossible for players and manager to pass instructions to one another. TV broadcasters have said it was bloody difficult while covering the Confederations Cup in South Africa. 

So who's right? Take a look at this clip to find out exactly all about the vuvuzela and what you might expect to be confronted with next summer. And the smaller version of the vuvuzela is one to look forward to, being described by the commentator as "like a duck on speed or the wailing of a terribly ill child". Bet you can't wait.

When it comes down to it, the World Cup is a festival and anything should be allowed, provided it doesn't actually injure anyone. Can you really get bleeding ears? At the end of the day, it surely can't be as annoying as listening to that fecking Pompey bell ringer at Fratton Park  -  I didn't even want to find a clip of that one as it's more annoying than listening to Ian Wright. 

Don't forget to vote in the POLL (on the left) regarding whether these noise busters should be banned from the FIFA World Cup in 2010.