Fans hoping to replicate that famous vuvuzela World Cup drone back in England face disappointment after several Premier League clubs banned the deafening trumpets from their stadiums. Although the Premier League has not made any ruling on the vuvuzela covering its 20 member sides, Tottenham banned the South African instrument late Monday. Arsenal, Birmingham, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, West Ham and Sunderland followed Tuesday, with most citing concern that the distinctive drone of blaring vuvuzelas could prevent supporters at matches from hearing safety announcements – such as evacuation instructions. “Following discussions with the police and representatives from the local licensing authorities, the club will not be permitting vuvuzelas or similar instruments into White Hart Lane on match days,” Tottenham said. “We are concerned that the presence of the instruments within the stadium pose unnecessary risks to public safety.” Vuvuzelas at the recently concluded World Cup annoyed plenty of television viewers around the world by drowning out television commentary and other crowd noise. But many enjoyed the local flavor they added to the monthlong tournament, which – draped in sponsors' logos and featuring several new stadiums – can look as though it could be taking place anywhere in the world. The trumpets were a common souvenir for visiting supporters to take home from the World Cup, but with Arsenal following its north London neighbor in imposing a ban, half of last season's top four clubs have ordered fans to leave them at home. “Vuvuzelas (are) not welcome at Emirates Stadium,” Arsenal said. “This decision has been taken to ensure the enjoyment and safety of supporters on match days, which is of paramount importance to the club.” Birmingham said it consulted supporters and health and safety authorities before banning the trumpet, while Sunderland will turn away the vuvuzela on the grounds that it does not permit any musical instruments into its Stadium of Light stadium. AC Milan will never sell Ronnie AC Milan will never transfer Brazilian forward Ronaldinho, declared club owner and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Tuesday. “Ronaldinho is not transferable and we're all in agreement that he will remain at Milan as long as he continues to play,” said Berlusconi during a press conference here. “I've not spoken to him recently, but it is certain that we will be renewing his contract and that he'll stay (at Milan) as long as he continues to play. “I consider him the best player of all time.” Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or (European Footballer of the Year award) in 2005 and was at the peak of his powers a year later when his dazzling skills inspired Barcelona to a league and Champions League double. He experienced a sharp downturn in form thereafter, however, and joined Milan in July 2008 for a fee in the region of 18.5 million euros. The 30-year-old has not yet hit the heights he reached in Catalonia during his time in Italy, although he appeared close to his best in the early months of last season, when Milan finished third in Serie A. He has recently been linked with a return to his native Brazil in the colors of Flamengo, having been left out of the Brazil squad at the World Cup, but Berlusconi dismissed the rumors. “He's the biggest attraction at AC Milan. He's worth the ticket price alone,” said the Italian PM. “He's worth 10 times the amount attributed to him in the papers recently.” Milan also announced the signing of Greek international center-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos Tuesday.
