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Victorian government overturns World Cup venue ban
TL;DR
The Victorian government has lifted a ban on showing World Cup matches at Melbourne's Federation Square, previously imposed due to poor supporter behavior. Premier Jacinta Allan made the decision after Football Australia requested the ban be overturned.
Key points
- Victorian government lifts ban on World Cup matches at Federation Square
- Ban was due to poor supporter behavior at previous events
- Premier Jacinta Allan disagreed with the ban and overturned it
The Victorian government has overturned a ban on World Cup matches being shown on big screens at Melbourne's Federation Square.
The ban had been put in place by Melbourne Arts Precinct, which manages the venue, after poor behaviour by some supporters at previous events.
However, state premier Jacinta Allan has now permitted gatherings at the square after Football Australia urged her government to overturn the ban.
"I disagree with that decision – and I am overturning it," Allan said in a statement.
"There's always a risk of bad behaviour from a few at every public gathering, but police and security will be on site, and there'll be zero tolerance for it. Now more than ever, people deserve more free stuff to do together in the city."
Australia supporters have gathered at Federation Square to watch tournament matches since 2006.
The Melbourne Arts Precinct had said behaviour in previous years had been "unacceptable and damaging".
Video of fans celebrating went viral during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as Australia advanced to the last 16, but there were incidents involving people being injured by flares and projectiles.
Supporters also stormed barricades during the 2023 Women's World Cup semi-final between Australia and England, leading to the screening of the Matildas' third-place play-off being cancelled at the square.
"After careful consideration, we've made the decision not to show the World Cup on Fed Square's Big Screen this year," Melbourne Arts Precinct director and chief executive Katrina Sedgwick had said on Wednesday.
"This is due to the behaviour of a small number of people at previous screenings which was simply unacceptable and damaging to Fed Square."
Football Australia had urged people to support calls for the Melbourne Arts Precinct and the state's government to change the "disappointing" decision "in the best interests of football fans, local businesses and all Victorians".
Martin Kugeler, chief executive of the governing body, said: "Melbourne is one of Australia's sporting and multicultural capitals, and this decision goes against this tradition.
"Federation Square has created some of the most memorable moments in Australian sporting history, dating back to the Socceroos' historic 2006 Fifa World Cup matches and the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup."
Patrick Clancy, chair of Football Supporters Association Australia, added: "The pictures and videos of Fed Square during World Cup 2022 went viral around the world. We want to see this repeated."
Australia play Turkey, Paraguay and joint hosts the United States at this summer's World Cup, which starts on 11 June, with the final on 19 July.
Q&A
Why did the Victorian government lift the World Cup venue ban?
The ban was lifted following a request from Football Australia and Premier Jacinta Allan's disagreement with the previous decision.
What was the reason for the original ban on World Cup matches at Federation Square?
The original ban was imposed by the Melbourne Arts Precinct due to poor behavior by some supporters at past events.
Who is the Premier of Victoria that overturned the World Cup venue ban?
The Premier of Victoria who overturned the ban is Jacinta Allan.
