TORONTO (AP) — A red noisemaker shaped like a maple leaf has become all the rage in Toronto during the World Cup.The “Canadian clapper” has been handed for free out at BMO Field and the city’s fan festival ahead of Canada’s group-stage matches. The handheld items, measuring 4 by 7 inches (10 by 18 centimeters), can’t be bought in stores, making them a must-have for fans of Les Rouges.“These are amazing. So, let’s go Canada,” Toronto resident Ryan Fonte said after being handed one by a fan festival volunteer ahead of Wednesday’s match against Switzerland.The three-piece, fan-like clappers are made from recycled material, said Sharon Bollenbach, Toronto’s World Cup executive director.FIFA presented them to fans who attended Canada’s first World Cup match, on June 12 in Toronto, then donated thousands to the FIFA Fan Festival. Volunteers there handed them out to attendees ahead of watch parties held for the second and third group-stage matches.
Cedric Osagie looked down into his hand after a volunteer placed the red noisemaker there. The Ottawa resident wasn’t sure what to call it.“I have absolutely no idea what the name of it is called,” Osagie said. “I’ll imagine it’s called a ‘clapper.’”
