No 'drums, banners, fireworks or alcohol' to be allowed at Copa America in Chile

The South American Football Championship or Copa America, which would be hosted by Chile this year, would be played under strict rules that fans complain would take the fizz out of proceedings at the tournament, in order to keep South America's notorious 'barra brava' hooligans away from football stadiums.

This year's tournament is the region's biggest national soccer championship and fans are reportedly looking forward to seeing players like Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazil's Neymar battling it out on the pitch.

Football games featuring South American teams are renowned for their colour and noise, creating an electrifying atmosphere. However, head of the Chilean government's Safe Stadium Plan, Jose Roa, said that some elements of that atmosphere can undermine security and controls are being tightened, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Roa said that their aim is to create a framework so the football community can enjoy a safe party, and exclude from the stadiums those who have set themselves apart from the football community.

Drums, whose throbbing beat is so often the backdrop to Latin American matches, could block exits and would not be allowed in to Copa games, nor would the stadiums see fireworks, flares or banners, as Roa believes that the latter can impede views or be used to smuggle in weapons or other banned items.

The security crackdown has upset fans, who say that it is disproportionate. One local Facebook group with 17,000 likes said that drums and banners do not generate violence, insisting that they are fans, not criminals.

Last month, the 'barra brava' of Chilean team Colo Colo raised a banner at a match, warning that without a fiesta, there is no Cup.

'Barra bravas', tied to clubs and most active in neighbouring Argentina, are fanatical and sometimes violent supporters' groups, often with links to organised crime.

Roa said that Chile was working closely with other competing nations and would use ID checks to prevent known trouble-makers from entering stadiums, as they are learning lessons from last year's World Cup in Brazil.

The security head also ruled out the sale of alcohol, which is not allowed at soccer matches in Chile. However, FIFA insisted that at the 2014 World Cup a similar existing ban in Brazil was overturned.