Football fans knocked down barriers outside Melbourne’s Federation Square, allowing hundreds more to enter the already crowded site where many gathered to watch the Matildas match.
Thousands of fans were already crowded in the fenced fan zone, waiting for the Matildas v England game to begin on Wednesday night, before people attempted to break through barricades outside the Fifa Women’s World Cup Fan Festival.
The barricades on the river side have been pushed down for a second time and an extra hundred two to three hundred people have rushed in to Fed Square. #FIFAWWC #Matildas @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/g8DshnyY0m
— Matilda Boseley (@MatildaBoseley) August 16, 2023
Footage of the incident, which happened shortly before the semi-final kick-off at 8pm AEST, appeared to show security staff standing by as people barged in.
Some people were heard counting down from 10 before knocking over the barricades and rushing through.
At fed square just then @GuardianAus #WomensWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/lCGn4C1yJ2
— Lisa Grace Favazzo (@a_pale_olive_) August 16, 2023
Fed Square said in a tweet just after 7pm that the main square was full.
Multiple people told Guardian Australia they were concerned about crowd safety.
Bo Svoronos attended the fan site with his wife and 11-year-old son and was metres away from where the video was filmed, and said he was concerned there was not enough police or security in the area.
“I was more concerned about the kids, especially the kids that were sitting at the front.”
The barricades on the riverside of Flinders Street were knocked down twice, with hundreds of people running into the fan zone.
The crowd appeared to settle after the game began.
“It’s quietened down now, but I’m keeping my eyes peeled,” Svoronos said.
Victoria Police has been contacted for comment.
