Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has intervened to allow Socceroos matches to be shown on big screens at Fed Square in central Melbourne during the World Cup, overturning a decision by the body that manages the precinct to block the idea due to crowd safety concerns.
“Yesterday, Melbourne Arts Precinct decided that Fed Square won’t show Socceroos matches on the big screen,” Allan said in a statement on Thursday. “I disagree with that decision – and I am overturning it.”
Matildas star Sam Kerr and former Socceroo Craig Foster were among people who criticised the MAP’s decision, which it said was made because of misbehaviour by a small number of people at previous screenings of soccer games in the square.
“There’s always a risk of bad behaviour from a few dickheads at every public gathering, but police and security will be on-site, and there’ll be zero tolerance for it,” Allan said. “The World Cup should bring us together, not keep us apart.”
The men’s World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. The Socceroos’ first game, against Turkey, is on June 14 in Vancouver.