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Australia v Argentina: Federation Square chaos as fans defy police orders ahead of World Cup clash

A 13-year-old boy sustained injuries to his face, arms and torso after police pepper sprayed the wild crowd at Federation Square this morning.

Brianna Travers and Emily Benammar
4 min read
December 4, 2022 - 11:45AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Wild scenes at Fed Square ahead of Socceroos clash

The distressed parent of a teenage boy who was pepper sprayed by police at Federation Square has slammed the force’s actions as “unacceptable”.

Meanwhile, two Socceroos fans were hospitalised with burns after they were burnt by flares lit at Federation Square on Sunday.

A further three people, including two police officers, were injured when fans stormed into the crowd about 5am.

Trent Brickle said his son Sonny, aged 13, was injured to his face, arms and torso after police pepper sprayed the crowd about 5.30am.

Mr Brickle said his son’s group of mates were at the back of the crowd when an unruly group of men stormed the gates in a bid to enter the at-capacity viewing area of Federation Square.

“Police sprayed by son and his mates in the face and body,” Mr Brickle said.

“They got pretty burnt. There were pretty distressed. They couldn’t see. They were freaking out.”

Mr Brickle, from Mentone, said he had made an official complaint to the Victoria Police misconduct unit on Sunday morning.

“The most disappointing thing was police didn’t help the kids who were injured, it was up to bystanders,” he said.

“It’s unacceptable conduct to be pepper spraying kids.

“What are the grounds for a kid to get pepper sprayed. They were at the back of the crowd, there to watch the soccer.”

He slammed the crowd control, or lack thereof, as “unacceptable”.

“Police weren’t equipped to handle it,” he said.

“They weren’t prepared for the amount of people there.

“The kids weren’t a threat, they weren’t playing up.”

Police used capsicum spray on fans at Federation Square.
Police used capsicum spray on fans at Federation Square.

Mr Brickle said his son, a Year 7 student, was recovering at home but was burnt and distressed.

Victoria police said one arrest was made among the 15,000 fans.

“Police were forced to use OC spray when people began forcing their way into the venue,” a spokesman said.

“While it was pleasing to see the majority of the crowd responsibly supporting their team, a small number engaged in anti-social behaviour.

“Police witnessed fireworks being set off in the crowd, a large number of flares being thrown at the screen, causing damage to the stage area.”

Police said around 15,000 fans attended the live site and just one arrest was made.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested for being drunk.

WHAT HAPPENED AT FED SQUARE?

Thousands of diehard fans gathered before dawn to cheer on the Socceroos but it descended into chaos about an hour from kick-off.

Video footage showed a large crowd gathered in the early hours of the morning before the World Cup round of 16 clash against Argentina at Federation Square in Melbourne’s CBD.

Multiple flares were lit.

Bottles were thrown among the unruly crowd who had been told to seek other venues.

One man scaled a pole while another scaled a tree in a bid to get a glance at the television screen.

Dozens of officers from Victoria Police patrolled the area including members from the Public Order Response Team.

Videos also showed temporary barricades - designed to help with crowd control - being crushed by attendees as they forced their way into the square about 5.30am.

“Let Us In,” the crowd chanted.

Authorities seemed helpless as the unruly crowd mobbed the area.

Multiple young men were seen with the after effects of capsicum spray to their face while other footage reportedly showed members of the public needed medial attention.

Tristan Frank, 20, from Malvern said the police response was “unnecessary”.

His mate was part of the crowd that was pepper sprayed before the game began.

Two hours after the game, the young man was still suffering the after-effects of being doused in capsicum spray.

“To spray a large crowd, it was unsafe,” Mr Frank said.

“I think it is dumb. We are actual fans but the ones who were fighting and lighting fireworks, police didn’t give two shits about it. Pepper spray was overkill.”

BARS FORCED TO CANCEL VIEWING PLANS

The popular Transport bar at Federation Square was forced to cancel its early scheduled morning opening following fears of unruly crowds. Fire Rescue Victoria was called to the city landmark after flares were thrown at the venue’s roof.

Troublemakers threw flares onto the roof of Transport Bar during the second half.

A fireman puts out flares from a window that were thrown onto the roof at Federation Square. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
A fireman puts out flares from a window that were thrown onto the roof at Federation Square. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
The smoke from flares hung over Federation Square throughout the morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
The smoke from flares hung over Federation Square throughout the morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Firefighters were on scene to douse water on the explosives.

Glass bottles were thrown as some members of the unruly crowd became disenchanted with the performance of the Socceroos.

A scuffle emerged between a group of men who were lighting fireworks.

Victoria Police were unable to intervene but have members of their evidence gathering squad on scene documenting footage of the crowd.

Victoria Police are expected to provide a response later today about crowd behaviour.

The Herald Sun understands a handful of arrests were made but the evidence gathering team will compile a dossier for detectives to hold those who have broken the law to account.

Sad fans in Federation Square. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
Sad fans in Federation Square. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

VIC GOV THANKS FANS WHO ATTENDED AAMI PARK

The Victorian government confirmed 18,000 fans packed AAMI Park to watch the coverage at the second live sight.

Fans collectively stood to endear the Socceroos on screens set up around the ground, applauding and chanting before filing out of the stadium.

Victorian tourism, sport and major events minister Steve Dimopoulos said that he was extremely proud that Victorians in attendance were “well behaved.”

Mr Dimopoulos said that once Federation Square had reached its maximum capacity, fans had been directed to walk down to AAMI Park without any disruption.

Fans come to terms with the loss. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
Fans come to terms with the loss. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“We are so proud of Victorians here this morning because they’ve come out in great numbers to share a moment together, a moment of national pride,” he said.

He said in light of their performance against a football powerhouse like Argentina, the team will have a “hero’s welcome” upon their return from Qatar.

“The Socceroos did us so extraordinarily proud, I mean they were playing one of the best teams in the competition.”

Fans left Federation Square piled with rubbish. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
Fans left Federation Square piled with rubbish. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/world-cup/australia-v-argentina-federation-square-chaos-as-fans-defy-police-orders-ahead-of-world-cup-clash/news-story/c6892d8401b02ad86eac403b56a43f7c