Moncton — The Hub City is hosting what may be the biggest sports event in its history with the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the eyes of the world are focused on the region. Moncton Stadium, located on the Université de Moncton campus, will play host to teams from England, France, Mexico and 5 other countries. But before the first match is even over, controversy has already reared its ugly head, threatening to overshadow the excitement on the pitch after an arrest was made near the Moncton Stadium. A North Tetagouche man was allegedly arrested for selling prohibited sound-makers to fans after a lengthy undercover operation.
Remi LeBlanc was arrested after trying to sell 2 blue vuvuzelas to an undercover police officer on Tuesday afternoon. Vuvuzelas, popular among sports fans for the intensity of their sound, caught the attention of the global football community during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Due to its pain-inducing volume levels and monotone sounds likened to a “love-sick caribou,” the musical instrument’s use has been banned at many events.
“First they shut down my bongo shop, then fined me for not having a licence to sell homemade catgut violin strings, and now I can’t even sell my vuvus,” a disheartened LeBlanc stated as he walked out of the Moncton courthouse after being released on bond. “What am I going to do with 400 plastic horns?”
RCMP spokesperson Lily March has also confirmed that 3 people were taken into custody for using the derogatory term “soccer field” instead of the proper and official term “football pitch.”