The controversial vuvuzela horns could be banned from World Cup following thousands of complaints from fans, broadcasters and the players.
South Africa's World Cup organising chief Danny Jordaan revealed his officials had been swamped by protests about the ear-bursting horns being blown during matches.
Mr Jordaan told BBC Sport the vuvuzela would be banned 'if there are grounds to do so'.
He added: 'We did say that if any land on the pitch in anger we will take action.
'We've tried to get some order. We have asked for no vuvuzelas during national anthems or stadium announcements.
'It's difficult but we're trying to manage the best we can.'
But World Cup communications chief Rich Mkhondo today appeared to contradict his boss, insisting the plastic horns were here to stay.
He said: 'As our guests please embrace our culture, please embrace the way we celebrate. The history of the vuvuzela is ingrained in South Africa.
'We just ask that people use them wisely and keep quiet when asked to do so during the singing of national anthems and the delivery of speeches.'
The growing controversy has prompted the company which makes the vuvuzela to come up with a toned-down version.
We have modified the mouthpiece, there is now a new vuvuzela which will blow noise that is 20 decibels less than the old one,' Neil van Schalkwyk, a partner at Masincedane Sport, told The Star newspaper in South Africa.
'We hope to sell these at park and ride areas and public viewing areas,' added Van Schalkwyk, whose company owns the vuvuzela trademark.
Demand for earplugs to protect from hearing loss during the World Cup outstripped supply, with many pharmacies running out of stock . Van Schalkwyk, inventor of the plastic vuvuzela, began selling novelty earplugs to fans .
A recent survey found that the sound emitted by a vuvuzela was the equivalent to 127 decibels - louder than a drum's 122 decibels, or a referee's whistle at 121.8 decibels.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo was the latest World Cup star to voice unease about the trumpet, telling reporters that it affected players' focus.
'It is difficult for anyone on the pitch to concentrate,' the Real Madrid star told a press conference.
'A lot of players don't like them, but they are going to have to get used to them.'
France captain Patrice Evra has blamed the noise for waking the team in their hotel and stopping the players from hearing each other on the pitch.
And Argentina's Lionel Messi complained they made it impossible for players to communicate on the pitch.
And for all the talk about the vuvuzela being a South African instrument ........ here's a picture of a Brazilian
famosa corneta ...... these have been used at Brazilian football matches for the last 10 years ....... Now guess where the 2014 World Cup is to be held .
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