Their complaint was that the bottom had fallen out of sales of South African shirts, hats and horns which had provided the bulk of their business.

And the French? The bickering squad returned home under police protection and to a chilly reception from fans after being knocked out of the Cup and failing to win a single game.

Italy, World Cup champions in 2006, received a similar reception as they returned home early following a win-less first round and loss Thursday to low-ranked Slovakia, 3-2.

The controversial vuvuzela continued to dominate headlines just as noise from the monotonal horns has dominated the sound track of this football festival.

A Johannesburg clinic warned that fans sharing the plastic horns risked spreading germs. Experts have also warned that the instruments are loud enough to damage ear nerves and some have called for them to be banned.

This call is opposed by vendors at the 10 stadiums who have done a brisk business selling ear plugs at a dollar or two each.

South African fans singing the song, Shosoloza, at times drowned out the vuvuzelas during South Africa's win over France.

Shosoloza, as heard in this recording by Peter Gabriel, first emerged as a work song in South African mines but is now sung at sporting events to encourage the home team.

The singing of German fans also drowned out the buzzing trumpets at times during their victory over Ghana.