Four male Matildas fans fined amid ‘rowdy’ celebrations at Federation Square

Plans to screen the next Matildas World Cup game at Federation Square have been scrapped after fans acted like “idiots” on Wednesday.

Plans to show the Matildas’ third place World Cup playoff at Melbourne’s Federation Square have been cancelled thanks to the “idiot” behaviour of young male fans.

A Fed Square spokeswoman said safety concerns led to the decision to scrap the popular public viewing site.

“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,” she said.

The rowdy crowd at Federation Square let off flares. Picture Twitter

Four men were fined for possessing flares. Picture Twitter

“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.”

Football fans will still be able to watch the match at AAMI Park, Melbourne’s only live site.

The decision comes after event organisers and Victoria Police met with the government on Thursday following the antics of some fans during Wednesday night’s semi-final clash between the Matildas and England.

Four men were fined after more than 50 flares were set off at the fan event where crowds reached capacity an hour before kick-off in the World Cup semi-final.

Victoria Police said it had been a “challenging” night for officers trying to keep fans safe as they watched the Matildas go down 3-1 to England.

“We saw a large rowdy group of mainly male youths, part of the active supporter groups, discharge and throw a significant number of flares,” a spokesman said.

Large crowds gathered at Federation Square in Melbourne Matildas V England game on Wednesday. Picture Twitter

Four males, aged 16 to 23, were fined $962 for possessing flares, and another 16-year-old male was cautioned in relation to throwing a flare.

Police said they’ve secured CCTV footage and detectives will investigate.

The third place playoff was due to be screened at Federation Square on Sunday night for fans who couldn’t make the trek to Brisbane for the match.

But that could now be scrapped, Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp confirmed.

“Those idiots ruin it for the rest of us,” she told 3AW radio.

“So pleased nobody was hurt but more than 50 flares really disappointing. So if we could find those idiots and make sure they don’t attend, then fed square will be going off again.”

She said Victoria Police were having a “good think” and would advise if the event could go ahead in the coming days.

But the councillor assured diehards there would be “lots of live sites” for people to enjoy the match.

Fans were left heartbroken by the loss to England. Picture: Franck Fife / AFP)\

Federation Square was filled with some 10,000 revellers on Wednesday evening, and fans were directed to watch the game at the live site at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (AAMI Park).

But some fans instead stormed barriers to gain entry to Federation Square instead.

“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,” police said.

The spokesman confirmed police were “very happy” with the overall behaviour of fans at AAMI Park and the packed bars and pubs around Melbourne’s CBD.

“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,” they said.