Austrian League Spokesman Christian Kircher announced a ban today on the controversial vuvuzela; the equally loved and loathed noisy plastic trumpet.  But they are not being banned for their noise…

 Story via AFP Image via Daylife

“…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.”