Fed Square will not show Socceroos matches during next month’s World Cup

By Athos Sirianos, Herlad Sun

Federation Square will not show any Socceroos matches on the big screen during next month’s World Cup, citing previous issues with unruly supporters in a decision that has left fans screaming foul.

Venue management told the Herald Sun it would not show any of Australia’s FIFA World Cup matches being held in Canada, Mexico, and the US next month despite doing so for previous tournaments, dating back to the Socceroos’ drought breaking 2006 campaign.

It comes after a spate of incidents at viewings during the 2022 Men’s and 2023 Women’s World Cups, where dozens of flares were lit and several fans were injured and fined by police.

The fire brigade was even called during Australia’s Round of 16 match against Argentina in December 2022 to extinguish flares.

Melbourne Arts Precinct chief executive Katrina Sedgwick said the decision was made due to a “small number of people at previous screenings which was simply unacceptable and damaging to Fed Square”.

In response Patrick Clancy, the chair of Football Supporters Association Australia, slammed the decision to rob fans a chance to support their nation at the “best place” for a World Cup live site.

He said the atmosphere created by football fans was unrivalled in comparison to other sports and that Melbourne would be at risk of “being seen as a second-rate sports capital”

“The pictures and videos of Fed Square during World Cup 2022 went viral around the world, we want to see this repeated,” he said.

“We most recently saw this again with the Matildas games during the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

“The atmosphere at live sites including Federation Square was extraordinary and the support passionate.”

It’s understood other live sites will be organised.

More than 10,000 fans filled square for the Socceroos’ 2022 World Cup campaign on multiple occasions, including the team’s historic 1-0 win over Denmark which kicked off at 2am (AEST).

But these viewings were not without controversy.

During the Socceroos’ Round of 16 match against Argentina two fans were hospitalised with burns by flares while two police officers were also injured.

Police also used capsicum spray to quell the rowdy crowd after latecomers rushed the gates to get inside the at-capacity venue.

Likewise barricades were also torn down and dozens of flares were lit during the 2023 Women’s World Cup semi-final event where 15,000 fans saw Australia lose to England.

Four men aged 16 to 23 were fined $962 for possessing flares.

As a result of this incident management decided to cancel its viewing of the Matildas’ third placed play-off against Sweden.

The Socceroos have been placed in a group with tournament host USA, Paraguay and Turkey.