Love or loathe them … Ok, loathe them, but vuvuzelas may have met their match after falling foul of religious authorities in the UAE.

London’s Metro free newspaper has reported the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments has issued a blanket ban on the instruments claiming the noise levels of the instruments poses a threat to hearing.

The National newspaper in Abu Dhabi said thousands of vuvuzelas were imported to the UAE by World Cup fans and local authorities feared the horns could then appear at local football matches next season.