Fans furious as World Cup tradition banned and even Chelsea star slams decision

Australian football fans are fuming after Melbourne’s Federation Square confirmed it would not show the Socceroos’ World Cup games.

The venue was a hub for fans in Melbourne during the 2022 World Cup, where the Aussies made it to the Round of 16 but were beaten by eventual champions Argentina.

Getty

Why has the Federation Square ban been brought in?

Venue management pointed to crowd trouble at previous screenings of games as the primary reason for the decision.

During a screening of the Socceroos’ 2-1 loss to Argentina, a number of fans were taken to hospital after being hit by a flare.

There was also trouble leading up to the Matildas’ Women’s World Cup semi-final against England in 2023, with Victoria Police claiming over 50 flares had been tossed into the crowd.

Sam Kerr among furious Aussies

However, the collective football community in Australia, including Chelsea women’s striker Sam Kerr and former Socceroo Craig Foster, have reacted with outrage at the decision.

Kerr shared her frustrations on Instagram where she reposted a report of the ban along with the caption: “Booooooooooo.”

Foster branded the ban a ‘ridiculous’ and ‘absurd’ decision, adding that the World Cup is ‘an important time for Aussies to feel together’.

Football Australia, the sport’s governing body, has also issued a statement calling on the Victorian Government to overturn Fed Square’s ban.

“Football Australia is extremely disappointed with the decision to rob Australian fans of an opportunity to gather and support the Socceroos in their seventh FIFA World Cup appearance,” the statement read.

“The Socceroos have long united Australians, and World Cups are moments when fans unite to celebrate and create lasting memories.

“Football Australia has spoken with the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Arts Precinct, expressing its strong disappointment and requesting that they overturn this decision.”

Getty

Iconic scenes at Federation Square over the years

Australian football fans at Federation Square went viral during the 2022 World Cup, especially during the Socceroos’ wins over Tunisia and Denmark.

Supporters, who were at Fed Square in the early hours of the morning, hurled pints and ripped flares after Mitchell Duke scored what proved to be the winner against Tunisia.

Those scenes were cranked up during the Socceroos’ victory over Denmark, which made it the nation’s most successful World Cup in history having won two of their three group games.

According to Fed Square’s 2022 annual report, over 33,000 fans visited the site across the Socceroos’ four World Cup games.

The report adds a staggering 15,000 went to Fed Square to watch the loss to Argentina.

Vision of the incredible Fed Square scenes even reached the Socceroos players during the 2022 World Cup.

Getty

“I wish I could do both (play and watch),” midfielder Jackson Irvine said.

“That just looks absolutely incredible and I hope every single one of them has got tonight as a moment they all remember for the rest of their lives.

“I’ve been a part of those kinds of moments before as a fan and the fact that we’ve created that for somebody else is just, it’s too special to even put into words.”