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Let the vuvuzelas drone, officials say

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 14 (UPI) -- The droning of the vuvuzelas will go on at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, drowning out the complaints of broadcasters and players, officials said Monday.

The tournament's organizing committee dashed the hopes of those wanting to limit or ban the traditional trumpets, announcing no action would be taken, The New York Times reported.

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"The vuvuzela will continue to be allowed during the tournament and the status quo has not changed," Rich Mkhondo, a spokesman for the World Cup organizing committee, said in a statement.

The Times said Mkhondo characterized the complaints about the droning as "isolated," but indicated the committee would continue to evaluate the situation.

French captain Patrice Evra said the noisemakers made it difficult for players to hear on the pitch and were disrupting the team's sleep at its hotel.

Broadcasters have complained the droning interferes with television feeds and drowns out announcers' voices.

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