UEFA, European football's governing body, has decided that vuvuzelas – the trumpet that caused such a stir at the recent World Cup in South Africa and triggered a fevered debate among its aficionados and critics – may not be brought into stadiums at matches in UEFA competitions.

UEFA's website says that it reached the decision for reasons related to Europe's football culture and tradition, saying that the atmosphere at matches would be changed by the sound of the vuvuzela.

The statement conutinues that "in the specific context of South Africa, the vuvuzela adds a touch of local flavour and folklore, but UEFA feels that the instrument's widespread use would not be appropriate in Europe, where a continuous loud background noise would be emphasised".

UEFA apparently believes that vuvuzelas "drown" out traditional communication between spectators and footballers to the detriment of the game and the overall atmosphere.

"To avoid the risk of these negative effects in the stadiums where UEFA competitions are played and to protect the culture and tradition of football in Europe – singing, chanting etc. – UEFA has decided with immediate effect that vuvuzelas will not be allowed in stadiums where UEFA competitions matches are played. UEFA's associations have been instructed to take all necessary operational measures, and to instruct their clubs concerned to do the same in all UEFA club competitions in which they participate," the statement concludes.