Vuvuzela red carded!

The honking plastic horns that caused such an uproar at the World Cup have been shut out of Champions League and European Championship qualifying matches.

UEFA issued a ban Wednesday that prevents fans from bringing vuvuzelas into the stadium at any match it organizes in the continent's 53 football nations.

The governing body of European football said it made the decision to protect the culture and tradition of fans singing at matches from the 'negative effect' of South Africa's signature musical contraption.

'UEFA feels that the instrument's widespread use would not be appropriate in Europe,' the organization said in a statement. South Africa's response? A respectful rejection of European values.

'We believe that UEFA has the right to decide what goes on in their games, but we believe that they are wrong,' World Cup organizing committee spokesman Rich Mkhondo told The Associated Press.