Federation Square to show FIFA World Cup after ban overturned

It was a break in football tradition that saw a state premier step in to save the day.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has overturned a decision not to show Socceroos matches at Melbourne’s Federation Square during next month’s FIFA World Cup, following a major outcry from the football community.

The decision came less than 24 hours after it was revealed by the Herald Sun on Wednesday afternoon that the Melbourne Arts Precinct* decided against showing the tournament on the big screen, because of previous poor behaviour by some soccer fans.

But after significant public outcry, including criticism by ex-Socceroo Craig Foster and Matildas superstar Sam Kerr, the Victorian government has decided to overturn the controversial call.

“Yesterday, Melbourne Arts Precinct decided that Fed Square won’t show Socceroos matches on the big screen,” Ms Allan said. “I disagree with that decision – and I am overturning* it.

“The government will ensure Fed Square has the support it needs to put on the matches this year.

The Premier said there was “always a risk of bad behaviour” from a few people at public events and ensured police and security would be on site.

“The World Cup should bring us together, not keep us apart,” she said.

Sam Kerr was one of many soccer fans in uproar when the initial announcement was made.

FIFA World Cup matches have been broadcast to Aussie fans at Federation Square since 2006. The decision to cancel this year’s event had been blamed on poor crowd behaviour during a 2022 World Cup screening.

Flares* were set off during a screening of Australia vs. Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, causing injury to fans and prompting a call out from the fire brigade.

Arrests were made, with Melbourne Arts Precinct chief executive Katrina Sedgwick saying the damage to the square and the behaviour of some meant future matches would not be shown.

The football community expressed its disappointment over the decision, particularly as screenings of the more recent Women’s World Cup in 2023 were trouble free, with footage of the crowd supporting the Matildas going viral.

“Football Australia is urging the Melbourne Arts Precinct to overturn its decision not to host public watch parties during the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026,” a statement from FA read.

“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 CommBank 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.”

Fans also scorned the decision, with one calling it a “shame”, while football stalwart* Craig Foster described it as “absurd”.

“Ridiculous decision,” Foster wrote on X.

“Every World Cup brings the nation together, hundreds of thousands of Aussies standing shoulder to shoulder, around the country, often through the night, even in the cold and rain to share in their passion for the @TheMatildas or @Socceroos.

“Kids, families, all cultures, faiths.

“It’s an important time for Aussies to feel together, watch the world’s largest sporting event, share in the national spirit.

“The vision of fans in different cities all sharing in the experience has become a hallmark of both female and male World Cups, connecting the country through.”

Foster then went a step further, demanding action from the authorities to overturn the decision.

He continued: “All stakeholders* should be working to overturn this absurd decision.

“Whether @FootballAUS @aleaguemen, the PFA as whole of game, along with members of

@VicParliament, @cityofmelbourne. And @JacintaAllanMP should intervene.”

Former sports journalist Ray Gatt said: “Every football fan should let whoever is responsible for this disgraceful decision know exactly how they feel.

“Use your voices. Use every means possible to make them reverse the decision!

“Football fans unite for a change! Be heard!”

Football reporter Joey Lynch added: “An absolute disgrace.”

Fans have been equally critical of the decision.

“Shame on all involved”, wrote one unhappy fan.

Another added: “What is this nonsense?”

A third wrote: “This is a genuine disgrace.”

WHERE TO WATCH THE SOCCEROOS
Federation Square won’t be the only venue screening FIFA World Cup games this year. If you would like to cheer on our Socceroos with other football fans, ask your parents to check your local government area for any venues playing World Cup games on a big screen near you. Let’s go, Australia!

POLL

GLOSSARY

• precinct: area
• overturning: reversing a decision
• iconic: symbolic of a place
• flares: a type of pyrotechnic that sets off a bright light without an explosion
• stalwart: a hardworking supporter of a cause
• stakeholders: the different organisations involved

EXTRA READING
Asian Cup: The one that got away
Kerr’s return to Matildas greatness
‘Icicle kick’ goal stuns soccer world

QUICK QUIZ
1. Why did the screening of World Cup games initially get banned this year?
2. Who overturned the ban?
3. What was the reason for this person overturning the ban?
4. Name some influential people who got behind the campaign to allow World Cup screenings at Federation Square?
5. When is the FIFA World Cup?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. What can be done?
What do you think could be done to make sure that the screening of World Cup matches in public places (like Federation Square) is safe for everyone? Write a list of rules and steps that could be taken.

Time: Spend at least 15 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Personal and Social Capability

2. Extension
Is the World Cup really the world’s biggest sporting event? Use your research skills to find evidence to answer this question.

Time: Spend at least 30 minutes on this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education

VCOP ACTIVITY
Conjunctions
Conjunctions are important in connecting ideas in a text and improving its flow. They help to join sentences, clauses or phrases to create a coherent and meaningful text.

Co-ordinating conjunctions are used to connect equal ideas or phrases – for example: and, but, or, so, yet, nor.

Subordinating conjunctions are connecting words or phrases that join a subordinating clause to the main idea. They provide additional information about the main idea – for example: because, although, while, when, if, since, until.

Complete at least two activities from the choices below:

• Read the news article carefully and highlight all the conjunctions used in the text.
• Write down the conjunctions you found and the words or phrases they connect.
• Identify the type of conjunction used (coordinating conjunctions or subordinating conjunctions).
• Explain the role of conjunctions in connecting ideas and improving the flow of a text.
• Write a short paragraph about something you found interesting in the article. Challenge yourself to re-use three conjunctions from the text. Can you up-level them to a higher level conjunction? Does it make the sentence better or harder to read? (Sometimes, the basic conjunction is the best choice).