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The Victorian government has lifted a ban on showing World Cup matches on big screens in Melbourne’s Federation Square.
The ban was imposed by the Melbourne Arts Precinct, which runs the venue, after some supporters misbehaved at previous events.
However, state Premier Jacinta Allan has now allowed gatherings in the square after Football Australia urged her government to lift the ban.
“I disagree with this decision – and I am overruling it,” Allan said in a statement.
“There’s always the risk of misbehavior from a few at every gathering, but police and security will be on the scene and there will be zero tolerance for it. Now more than ever, people deserve more free things to do together in the city.”
Australia fans have been gathering at Federation Square to watch matches of the tournament since 2006.
The Melbourne Arts Precinct said the behavior in previous years was “unacceptable and harmful”.
A video of fans celebrating as Australia progressed to the last 16 during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar went viral, only to be injured by fire and projectiles.
Supporters also barricaded the 2023 Women’s World Cup semi-final between Australia and England, resulting in the Matildas’ third-place play-off being scrapped.
“After careful consideration, we have decided not to show the World Cup on the big screen in Fed Square this year,” Melbourne Arts Precinct director and chief executive Katrina Sedgwick said on Wednesday.
“This is due to the behavior of a small number of people in previous screenings that were simply unacceptable and harmful to Fed Square.”
