Victoria Reverses Ban on World Cup Screenings in Melbourne

The Victorian government, led by Premier Jacinta Allan, has reversed a ban on public screenings of FIFA World Cup matches at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia. The ban was initially introduced by the management of the Melbourne Art Precinct due to safety concerns stemming from incidents during previous tournaments.

Allan intervened, stating that Football Australia supported the decision to allow screenings, which had previously seen large crowds gather, notably during the 2006 World Cup and the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The decision to overturn the ban was welcomed by Football Australia, which described the original decision as disappointing and contrary to Melbourne's reputation as a multicultural sports capital.

The management of the Melbourne Art Precinct, represented by CEO Katrina Sedgwick, had defended the ban, citing unacceptable behavior from a small number of fans. The World Cup group stage tournament is set to begin on June 11 and conclude with the final on July 19.