Quote:Federation Square drops plans to allow fans to watch World Cup games Evonne Barry From: Herald Sun May 27, 2010 12:00AM MELBOURNE soccer fans are without a World Cup meeting place after Federation Square cancelled plans to run its "live site" for fear of overcrowding. More than 10,000 people packed the Square, and spilled into Birrarung Marr, during each of the Socceroos' clashes in 2006. But this time around, Federation Square management, which markets the site as "Melbourne's meeting place", has shut fans out. Australia's matches in South Africa - the first against three-time winner Germany at 4.30am Melbourne time on June 14 - will not be on the Square's big screen. "This time around, interest has grown so much in the soccer that we could not accommodate the expected numbers of people safely at Federation Square," venue spokesman Ron Smith said. "We had more people than we could accommodate in the square (four years ago)." The Football Federation of Australia and City of Melbourne are now looking for an alternative "live site" venue. Police said they had been involved in the consultation but the decision rested with the city and soccer officials. Warren Livingstone, founder of fan group The Fanatics, said: "It's disappointing - hopefully they will find an alternative." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/federation-square-drops-plans-to-allow-fans-to-watch-world-cup-games/story-e6frf7jo-1225871785779Edit: Herald Sun have now updated the story in the link. I'll post the update below Hopefully something is organised and this isn't another kick in the guts for the sport. Gotta wonder... if this decision is based on what happened in 2006, why are they organising their options at such a late stage? Edited by road warrior: 27/5/2010 10:00:23 AM
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