Football Australia is calling on the Victorian government to lift a ban on screening World Cup matches at Melbourne's iconic Federation Square, a tradition that has united Australian fans for nearly two decades.

Since 2006, supporters have flocked to Fed Square to watch the Socceroos and Matildas compete on the world stage. But this year, the Melbourne Arts Precinct—which manages the venue—has decided to pull the plug, citing "unacceptable and damaging" behavior from a minority of attendees at past events.

The decision stems from incidents during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where videos of fans celebrating Australia's historic run to the round of 16 went viral. However, those joyous moments were marred by reports of people being injured by flares and projectiles. The situation escalated during the 2023 Women's World Cup, when supporters stormed barricades during the Matildas' semi-final against England, forcing the cancellation of the third-place play-off screening at the square.

"After careful consideration, we've made the decision not to show the World Cup on Fed Square's Big Screen this year," said Katrina Sedgwick, director and CEO of the Melbourne Arts Precinct. "This is due to the behavior of a small number of people at previous screenings which was simply unacceptable and damaging to Fed Square."

But Football Australia isn't backing down. The governing body has urged fans and local businesses to rally against the ban, calling it a "disappointing" move that undermines Melbourne's reputation as a sporting and multicultural hub.

"Melbourne is one of Australia's sporting and multicultural capitals, and this decision goes against this tradition," said Martin Kugeler, chief executive of Football Australia. "Federation Square has created some of the most memorable moments in Australian sporting history, dating back to the Socceroos' historic 2006 FIFA World Cup matches and the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup."

Patrick Clancy, chair of the Football Supporters Association Australia, echoed that sentiment: "The pictures and videos of Fed Square during World Cup 2022 went viral around the world. We want to see this repeated."

As Australia prepares to face Turkey, Paraguay, and other opponents in upcoming friendlies, the debate over Fed Square's big screen is more than just about a venue—it's about preserving a cherished tradition that brings fans together to celebrate the beautiful game. Whether the ban will be lifted remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the passion for football in Melbourne is as strong as ever.