Football fans looking to bring the party to World Cup matches will have to make do without vuvuzelas, with FIFA’s stadium code of conduct banning plastic horns at venues in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Vuvuzelas, a horn made with a long plastic shell, are a staple of South African football matches and took the world by storm during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. But they have been criticized for their monotonous drone, often compared to a swarm of bees.
In addition to vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns and other excessively loud noise-making devices are banned at all 16 World Cup venues, according to FIFA’s stadium code of conduct.
Instruments that emit laser beams, laser pointers or similar emissions are also prohibited.
The list of prohibited items and behavior further states that body paint and body tattoos do not count as clothing. It is also prohibited to stripe, show or remove clothing to reveal intimate body parts.
FIFA has also banned spectators from taking reusable water bottles into venues, citing safety concerns.
Visitors who violate the rules may be denied entry or removed from the stadium, according to code.
The expanded 48-team World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19. Mexico opens the tournament against South Africa on June 11.
