Arsenal set to join Spurs and place ban on vuvuzelas
ARSENAL are set to follow the lead of rivals Tottenham and ban vuvuzelas for the coming season, City PM can reveal, as English football braces itself for an invasion of the controversial World Cup horns.
The South African instruments were inescapable at this summer’s tournament, where their atonal parping often drowned out crowd noise, and have since hit the British high street.
But some club chiefs, anxious to preserve the terrace atmosphere, have moved quickly to declare their grounds vuvuzela-free zones.
Tottenham joined the list yesterday and it is understood Arsenal, whose manager Arsene Wenger has called them “a nightmare”, are to take the same step, but are yet to make an official announcement.
A Spurs spokesman told City PM: “Following discussions with the police and representatives from the local licensing authorities, the club will not be permitting vuvuzelas or similar instruments into White Hart Lane on matchdays.
“We are concerned that the presence of the instruments within the stadium pose unnecessary risks to public safety and could impact on the ability of all supporters to hear any emergency safety announcements.
“We are very proud of the fantastic atmosphere that our supporters produce organically at White Hart Lane and we are all very much looking forward to this continuing into the forthcoming season.”
Arsenal are set to confirm a ban within days, but Wenger (left) has already said he “would sign a petition to get rid of them tomorrow”. “It kills one of the charms of football: the songs,” he added.
Elsewhere in London, only Brentford have outlawed the vuvuzela, although other clubs said their policies were currently under review.