Crowds will no longer be able to gather at Melbourne’s Federation Square to watch the remaining Women’s World Cup matches after a small group of fans repeatedly breached security fences and others lit flares during Wednesday’s semi-final.
The decision to axe the fan zone at Fed Square – which had already hosted 140,000 fans throughout the World Cup – was made out of safety concerns, and follows what Victoria Police called a “challenging night” for officers.
After the live site in Melbourne’s city centre reached its 10,000 person capacity an hour before the 8pm kickoff on Wednesday, a group of spectators who had not gained entry twice pushed through temporary security fences, allowing hundreds of people to flow in.
Officers also reported “a large, rowdy group of mainly male youths, part of the active supporter groups, discharge and throw a significant number of flares”. Four males, aged between 16 and 23, were fined more than $960 each for possessing flares and police cautioned another 16-year-old for throwing a flare.
On Thursday evening, a Fed Square/government spokesperson said: “As a result of disappointing behaviour by a small group of people, Federation Square management has made the decision that there will no longer be a live site at Federation Square, due to safety concerns.”
“It is clear that if there was a repeat of last night’s behaviour it would be unsafe for families, fans and staff,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the decision had been reached after discussions on Thursday morning between event organisers and Victorian police.
Fans had been expected to gather at Fed Square again on Saturday to watch the Matildas take on Sweden in the third place playoff match. However, they will now be directed to Melbourne Rectangular Stadium/AAMI Park as the dedicated live site for remaining games.
The decision was made despite the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, earlier on Thursday saying he “would not want to see a situation where a space that is owned by all Victorians can’t be used”.
“[Flares] are dangerous and I don’t think those people represent the vast majority of soccer fans, football fans who want to enjoy what is an absolutely spectacular game, the beautiful game,” Andrews said.
Melbourne’s lord mayor, Sally Capp, said “it’s often the actions of a few, unfortunately, that end up ruining the experience for others”.
“I lament the idiocy of people that come with flares.”
