Matildas vs. Sweden live stream at Fed Square won’t go ahead due to rowdy fans
Matildas fans won’t get the chance to gather at Federation Square for Saturday’s third-place playoff against Sweden after Wednesday night’s “disappointing behaviour”.
Victoria
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Devoted Women’s World Cup fans will miss out on cheering for their beloved Matildas at Federation Square on Saturday after more than 50 flares were let off at the site on Wednesday night.
A Federation Square spokesperson confirmed the ban on Thursday, citing safety concerns.
“During the Women’s World Cup Federation Square has hosted 140,000 people – and there have been many memorable scenes with thousands throwing their support behind the Matildas,” the spokesperson said.
“However as a result of disappointing behaviour by a small group of people, Federation Square management has made the decision that there will no longer be a live site at Federation Square, due to safety concerns.
“It is clear that if there was a repeat of Wednesday night’s behaviour it would be unsafe for families, fans and staff.
“The decision follows discussions this morning between event organisers and in consultation with Victoria Police.
“The Melbourne live site will now be at AAMI Park and those arrangements remain unaffected.”
Emotions ran high on Wednesday at the Melbourne landmark where hundreds of fans gathered to watch the Matildas’ semi-final match against England, in what police say was a “challenging” evening.
Among the sea of green and gold supporters, was a “large rowdy group” of predominantly male youths allegedly responsible for discharging a significant number of flares.
“More than 50 flares were discharged and multiple thrown into the crowd. Luckily at this stage, we’re not aware of anyone being injured,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
It’s understood four men aged between 16 to 23 were issued fines of $962 for possessing flares while police issued a warning to another 16-year-old male who threw the combustible device, with further investigations into the incidents underway.
It comes as shocking footage captured the moment a score of fans pushed through temporary fences used to manage the crowd.
Several people were seen running through the barricades as others tried to weave their way out of the ruckus to safety.
“Officers were constantly trying to ensure the safety of the crowd, managing and monitoring public order at the Federation Square site however at times multiple temporary fences, which were in place to assist with managing the crowd, were breached,” the police spokesperson said.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp on Thursday morning took aim at the “idiots” responsible for causing the mayhem.
“If we could find those idiots and make sure they don’t attend then Fed Square will be going off again but unfortunately sometimes the few ruin it for the rest of us,” she told 3AW’s Ross and Russ.
“We’re looking at all of the logistics at the moment, the police are really having a good think and will give some advice but there will be lots of live sites for people to enjoy the football this weekend to watch those brilliant Matildas.”
Fortunately scenes at AAMI Park – a second live site – were more civil, with police stating they were “very happy” with crowd behaviour.
“There were no incidents of note at AAMI Park, other than a penalty notice issued to a male who was in possession of a flare,” the police spokesperson added.
Daniel Andrews confirmed Victoria Police were being consulted but said they would not make the final decision about whether Saturday night’s match would be played at Fed Square.
“There is an authority that runs that space, there’s the city of Melbourne, there’s us. I think we all want to see what Victoria Police say,” he said.
“It wasn’t the night people wanted but there is no excuse. Flares are illegal, banned for a reason.”
“The book should be thrown at them … they are dangerous.”
The Premier said, despite Wednesday night’s antics, Fed Square should continue to be used for events.
“I would not want to see a situation where a square that is owned by, a space that is owned by all Victorians can’t be used. And I don’t think we should settle for a small group of people, albeit it was significant, but it was a clear minority of that crowd, essentially running us out of Fed Square.”
“As for what happens on Saturday night, Victoria Police are being appropriately consulted from a safety point of view.”
Several fans have pledged to never attend a Federation Square live site again after the chaotic scenes forced families to leave before the match had started.
Andrea attended with her children aged 13, 17, 18 and 19, fearing for their safety after one of her daughters was hit in the head by a bottle.
“About an hour and a half before the game, flares started being thrown, we had a poor kid next to us burn their jeans, another girl in front of us, a flare hit her in the back, burnt her jacket,” Andrea told 3AW.
“The metal fences were then picked up and walked above people’s heads through the crowds.
“It was absolutely horrendous (and) it wasn’t a handful of people, it was thousands of thugs there so we left before the game.
“My daughter had a bottle thrown at her head, it was awful (but) she’s okay.
“We just couldn’t get out of there fast enough, we won’t go again.
“I’ve never witnessed anything like this before, it was really disappointing.
“It was not a handful of people, we were almost outnumbered.
“We left and caught the train to AAMI Park and missed the first 20 minutes of the game, a much better experience.”
Peter planned to watch the match with his 14-year-old daughter and also left before kick off.
“The fences weren’t breached once, it was twice … there would have been at least 2000 hooligans behind us that were throwing flares,” he told 3AW.
“Fences and barricades were just lifted up and thrown around.
“We left about 15 minutes before the game, it was just unsafe, there were kids crying, families being trampled.
“It was just awful, disappointing.
“The police were just standing there, they couldn’t do anything.”
Fans ‘proud’ of Matildas’ achievements
Despite the loss fans remained full of pride for the Matildas, who end the World Cup on home soil their greatest ever campaign with a semi-final exit.
Matildas fan Indi said she was “proud of the girls” despite the defeat.
“They were fantastic throughout the whole tournament,” she said.
MELBOURNE ERUPTS GET IN pic.twitter.com/V9T95zKJ2Q
— Athos Sirianos (@AthosSirianos) August 16, 2023
AAMI Park live site erupts as Kerr scores a ripper @theheraldsun@AthosSirianos@TheMatildaspic.twitter.com/ow1EIv9194
— Regan Hodge (@ReganHodge2) August 16, 2023
The crowd beginning to find its voice at fed square. History ready to be made pic.twitter.com/KKKgZ4lHfd
— Athos Sirianos (@AthosSirianos) August 16, 2023
Lachie Flannigan said the “roar” when Sam Kerr equalised was “something else”.
“The crowd was fantastic, it was so loud when Kerr scored. It’s the kind of noise that only football can bring”.
The Matildas will square off against Sweden on Saturday in the third placed play off.
Supporter Nic Athamasopoumos, 26, said he was proud of the team that brought the nation together.
“They did a great job to get here, they tested the world number four and we’re all super proud of them,” he said.
“It is what it is and you cop it on the chin.”
Sasha Missell said the Matildas’ performance in recent weeks would have inspired thousands of girls and boys to play soccer in Australia.
“It was obviously not the result that we were hoping for, but it’s pretty damn incredible that we’ve gotten this far,” she said.
“They’ve inspired a nation, the amount of girls and boys that are going to feel empowered just because of the way they attack.
“They’ve completely rewritten football in Australia … a truly incredible adventure.”
There were wild scenes after Sam Kerr’s goal.
Fan James McGuire said he couldn’t believe it.
“I thought she was going to pass it, but she just went bang, too bins, she’s a star,” he said.
“That crowd was insane.”
The Federation Square live site reached capacity an hour before kick off and organisers told latecomers to head towards AAMI Park.
Multiple announcements were made for fans to “stand at all times” for “safety reasons”.
There were fans lit flares pre-game, with some thrown towards the front of the site.
Police formed a line in front of where the flares were lit.
Jose Vasquez, who works at a liquor shop in Yarraville, took the day off to mentally prepare for the game.
“I told my boss I needed to have the day off because this is a huge event for Australian sport,” he said.
“The tournament has swept the city, it’s out of control with all the support and how excited everyone is”.
Annie Raymond said she has followed the game her whole life and seeing so many people come out to support the Matildas made her “emotional”.
“The atmosphere around the tournament has been crazy, it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before,” she said.
“We’ve got the perfect platform here at Federation Square to support the Matildas”.
Brian Cruz said he was “speechless” seeing thousands of fans pile in to Federation Square.
“To see the crowd growing here with every game has been incredible,” he said.
“Only football has the power to do this, no other sport even comes close.
“This is the third biggest tournament in the world and our fans have turned up big time”.
Bianca Fric and Eva Bretherton play at Moreland City in the Under 15s.
Bianca said the pair wanted to come to federation square to be part of the “amazing atmosphere”.
“It’s a Wednesday night and there are so many people here … it’s really inspirational for us who want to be Matildas one day,” she said.
Darcy Bell, 27, who plays soccer for Ashburton in Melbourne’s east, said it was a special night as the whole country embraced the Matildas.
“It’s pretty incredible, we didn’t think it was going to be as full on as this,” she said.
“The fact that the whole country is on board and that they’re opening up stadiums to show the games is really cool.”
Her friend and teammate, 18-year-old Sofia Apos, said the rise of women’s football was beginning to rival the AFL.
“I think it’s bigger than AFL at this point, it was really good to see at the MCG on Saturday night, people were watching the Matildas instead of the footy,” she said.
Nicole Carracher, who drove from Woodend earlier on Wednesday, said the Matildas had converted her family to soccer fans in a typically AFL-dominated household.
“It’s fantastic, the Matildas have brought us into the game,” she said outside AAMI Park.
“We’re strictly AFL and cricket but we’re enjoying this and enjoying being with the people.”
Ms Carracher said she’d never seen the country come together as one quite like this.
“I haven’t seen it like this but it’s the same sort of vibe when we’re in the Olympics, everybody gets behind everybody,” she added.
“They’ve sold the most tickets for any event to do with football, they’ve sold the most guernseys and we’re all with them.”
Melbourne street’s homage to goalkeeper
The streets will never forget Mackenzie Arnold. Literally.
Residents along Arnold Ct in Pascoe Vale have unofficially rechristened their street to “Mackenzie Arnold Court” – aptly named after the Matildas goalkeeper who saved three crucial penalties in Saturday’s quarter-final penalty shootout win against France.
A photo of the shot-stopper making one of her dramatic saves has been added to the street pole.
“This street is hereby dedicated to Mackenzie Arnold for her services to the country on 12 August 2023 in the Australia v France World Cup Quarter Final,” the poster said.
Even after missing a penalty herself, the West Ham United goalkeeper remained unfazed and held her nerve between the posts to help Australia advance to its first-ever World Cup semi-final.
Arnold has played all five of Australia’s matches so far and has kept four clean sheets.
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