Football Australia urges the reinstatement of public watch parties for the 2026 World Cup in Melbourne's Federation Square, following a ban due to dangerous fan behavior. The governing body expressed disappointment, citing the event's role in uniting multicultural communities. Melbourne Arts Precinct CEO Katrina Sedgwick highlighted antisocial behavior, including the use of flares and fireworks, as the reason for the ban. The Socceroos' World Cup campaign begins on June 13 against Turkey.
SYDNEY, : Football Australia called on Wednesday to allow public watch parties for the 2026 World Cup in Melbourne's Federation Square, following a decision to scrap them over"dangerous" fan behaviour.
The governing body said it was"extremely disappointed with the decision to rob Australian fans of the opportunity to support the Socceroos".
"The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world and unites Australia's multicultural communities, while reinforcing our national identity," said Football Australia chief executive Martin Kugeler. "Melbourne is one of Australia's sporting and multicultural capitals, and this decision goes against this tradition. " Katrina Sedgwick, chief executive of the Melbourne Arts Precinct, said the behaviour of some fans led to the ban.
"This issue is really with a very small group of fans who, unfortunately, behave in a way that is just antisocial and frankly, dangerous," she told public broadcaster ABC. "The challenge is when you have a crowded square with lots and lots of people and people are smuggling in flares," she said. "I think on the final night of the last Socceroos game we screened, we counted over 100 flares and fireworks that had been let off in the square.
" The Socceroos begin their World Cup against Turkey in Vancouver on June 13, followed by games against co-hosts the United States in Seattle six days later and Paraguay in California on June 25. - AFPThailand vows strict tourist oversight after public sex incidentsFuel prices May 7-13: Diesel, unsubsidised RON95 up five sen, RON97 unchanged
2026 World Cup Football Australia Melbourne Federation Square Fan Misconduct Socceroos
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