Rustenburg - FIFA have no plans to ban or stop fans from blowing noisy vuvuzelas at the Confederations Cup or next June when South Africa host the 2010 World Cup finals.

That was the word from FIFA president Sepp Blatter speaking at a special media briefing ahead of the crunch Confederations Cup Group A clash between Bafana and New Zealand at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday night.

In reply to a fed up journalist who complained about the "terrible noise" that the unique South African vuvuzelas make and suggested that they should be banned, the FIFA president smiled and said he agreed that the "trumpet" used by local fans was a noisy instrument.

"But," he  added, "That is what African and South Africa football is all about - noise, excitement, dancing, shouting and enjoyment. This is a celebration."

The chief executive of the Local Organising Committee, Danny Jordaan explained with tongue in cheek, "Our fans blow their vuvuzelas before the match. Maybe because they know that they (the fans) might not be celebrating afterwards."

Blatter admitted the vuvuzelas affected television broadcasts and said that FIFA would look into the matter but there were no plans to ban vuvuzelas.

Blatter was more worried about the lack of bums on seats at the stadiums. With about 30 minutes to Bafana's crunch Group A the 42 000 seater stadium was half empty.

This despite the fact that the King Molotlegi of the Bafokeng nation had bought 10 000 tickets for his people to support Bafana.

"We have been assured by the LOC that the stadium would be full," said Blatter.

Jordaan said South Africa were only two percent lower in tickets sales as Germany were at the same stage when they hosted the same competition in 2005. "One of the reason for the poor show for Bafana is that they are not performing as well as people expected," said Jordaan.

On the tournament so far Blatter gave the LOC the thumbs up.

"We are a third of the way through the competition and so far the organising and the play on the pitch has been excellent."
Blatter said that 760 000 of the 3.2 million tickets available for the World Cup had been sold.

"We expect over 500 000 soccer tourists next June in South Africa. I am happy with the ticket sales for the World Cup."