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Chaos at Federation Square as police ‘pepper spray Socceroos fans who pulled down a fence’ to get into the live site after it was overrun by supporters
There was chaos at Federation Square on Sunday morning as fans attempted to catch a glimpse of the Socceroos’ clash with Argentina, with police allegedly launching pepper spray at supporters.
Approximately half an hour before the big game kicked off in Qatar, Federation Square’s Twitter account announced that the venue had reached its 8,000-spectator capacity advised fans to walk to Aami Park to watch the round 16 World Cup game.
‘ALERT: Fed Square has reached capacity. If you are heading to Fed Square, please make your way to Aami Park’ the account tweeted.
However, according to the Herald Sun, temporary fencing designed to maintain crowd control was crushed as fans tried to get vision of the game, while fan footage shared on Twitter showed distressing scenes.
The video shows the crowd quickly dispersing when approached by Victoria Police, who can be seen firing a liquid at the supporters. One officer is seen firing at a female supporter while she was on the ground.
‘People pull down fences closing off fed square, police bring out pepper spray to young Aussie fans. Absolute disgraceful. One girl in a whole heap of distress,’ they posted alongside a video of fans climbing over and a picture of a female supporter on the floor.
There was chaos at Federation Square as Socceroos supporters tried to watch the big game
It is claimed that Victoria Police fired pepper spray at supporters outside Federation Square
Socceroos supporters have returned to Federation Square for the big game vs Argentina
Australia is holding its breath as the Socceroos take on the World Cup favourites in Qatar
Supporters made headlines around the world for their celebrations during the Denmark win
Federation Square confirmed that the venue has reached full capacity ahead of kick off
Those fans who couldn’t make it into Federation Square walked over to Aami Park nearby
The scenes at Federation Square following Australia’s win over Denmark grabbed headlines the world over, with clips of fans going wild following the huge victory seeing Socceroos fans widely praised for embracing the magic of the World Cup.
But the sorry scenes on Sunday morning could dampen the joyous mood.
Meanwhile, Sydney’s Darling Harbour was also showing a live screening of the big game, and video shows thousands of fans filling the venue to watch the Socceroos attempt to make history in the Middle East.
There were similarly chaotic scenes at Sydney’s Darling Harbour for Sunday morning’s o
Socceroos supporters cheer on their team moments before kick off in Al-Rayyan, Qatar
One fan was escorted from the venue after he allegedly lit a flare at Darling Harbour in Sydney
Yet there were concerning scenes in Sydney, too, with two fans forced to exit the crowd after being hit by flares, causing them to bleed.
New South Wales Police were seen escorting one man from the area after he lit a flare.
‘Two fans have just had to exit the crowd, bleeding, after being hit by flares thrown around,’ a News Corp journalist posted on Twitter.
Thousands also made their way to Adelaide Oval to watch the game on the giant screens attached to the exterior of the new stand.
Fans also turned out at King George Square in Brisbane to support the Socceroos on Sunday
‘Incredible atmosphere at Adelaide Oval live site,’ 9News Adelaide tweeted just moments after kick off.
Fans also made their way to Maroubra Beach in eastern Sydney where there appeared to be a more applicable atmosphere as the sun rose in Australia.
Supporters were seen sat on picnic blankets and there was not a flare in sight.
At King George Square in Brisbane, supporters congregated by the big Christmas tree to show their support for the Socceroos.
Ahead of kick off, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also threw his support behind the team. ‘Up the @Socceroos – the whole country is behind you’ he said.
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