FIFA confirmed Friday that South African football fans will be allowed to bring traditional Vuvuzelas to matches at the 2010 World Cup.

Permission to allow fans to bring the noise-making trumpets to the stadiums was granted after a debate that lasted several hours, during which time World Cup organizers managed to convince football's ruling body that the instruments were essential for an authentic South African footballing experience.

FIFA had expressed concerns that the instruments could be used as weapons by hooligans or by businesses to have an advertising presence in World Cup stadiums.