First Spurs and Arsenal, now Hammers and Fulham outlaw World Cup irritant
SIX more Premier League clubs, including West Ham, Fulham and Liverpool, have followed north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal in announcing a ban on vuvuzelas.
The Gunners yesterday confirmed they have outlawed the plastic horns at the Emirates Stadium with immediate effect, as exclusively revealed in Morning Wire (right).
That came after Spurs told fans not to bring the South African instruments made infamous at this summer’s World Cup to White Hart Lane for safety reasons.
West Ham, Fulham, Liverpool, Everton, Sunderland and Birmingham have since followed suit, taking the number of top-flight sides to ban them to eight.
Wolves and West Brom may also follow suit, while Blackpool have distanced themselves from suggestions they would encourage supporters to toot the droning trumpets at Bloomfield Road.
A West Ham statement read: “Under the current health and safety regulations at the stadium, which already disallows musical bands, we would not allow them [vuvuzelas] into the stadium as they could be considered a weapon and could also be considered to be an annoyance to others. The health and safety regulations that all of this comes under is already in place. The club wish at all times to ensure that all supporters are allowed to enjoy the game they are watching and prides itself on the passionate, loud and robust support from our fans at all matches at Upton Park.”
Confirming their decision, Arsenal said: “Further to their hugely debated involvement at this summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa, Arsenal FC has decided to forbid the use of vuvuzelas within Emirates Stadium with immediate effect. This decision has been taken to ensure the enjoyment and safety of supporters on matchdays, which is of paramount importance to the club.”
Fulham’s banning the vuvuzela represents something of a U-turn. On Monday a spokesperson told Morning Wire the club had no policy on the horns, and had not even discussed the matter. Yesterday, after announcements from other clubs, they said vuvuzelas would be forbidden at Craven Cottage owing to a ban on all instruments.
Eduardo all set for £6m Shakhtar move
ARSENAL striker Eduardo is set to complete his move to Shakhtar Donetsk today after the clubs agreed a £6m fee.
The 27-year-old has failed to recapture his best form for Arsene Wenger’s men since suffering his horror leg break against Birmingham in February 2008.
Indeed, the Croatian international has fallen further down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium with the arrival of Maruoane Chamakh from Bordeaux.
Eduardo missed the team’s pre-season trip to Austria to hold talks with the Ukrainian side. He reportedly underwent a medical last night.