Melbourne fans will be able to watch World Cup matches at Federation Square later this year. (ABC News: Natalie Whiting)
In short:
Premier Jacinta Allan has intervened to overturn an unpopular decision to not host fan events at Federation Square during the upcoming men's World Cup.
On Tuesday the Melbourne Arts Precinct announced Fed Square would not hold public screenings because of poor behaviour by attendees in past years.
Ms Allan said she disagreed with the decision and that there will be "zero tolerance" for bad behaviour at match screenings later this year.
The Victorian government has overturned a decision to ban screenings of this year's FIFA World Cup matches at Federation Square.
In a move that dismayed football fans and Football Australia, the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation on Tuesday announced that screenings would not take place at Fed Square due to "antisocial" and "dangerous" behaviour by attendees at previous events.
The lighting and throwing of flares causing injury to attendees was a particular concern for the corporation, which said it counted more than 100 flares left at Federation Square after the last Socceroos match it screened.
Loading...But on Wednesday morning Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she "disagreed with that decision".
"There's always a risk of bad behaviour from a few dickheads at every public gathering, but police and security will be on site," she said.
"There'll be zero tolerance for it."
Ms Allan said the government would "ensure Fed Square has the support it needs to put on the matches this year".
"The World Cup should bring us together, not keep us apart," she said.
Football Supporters Association Australia chair Patrick Clancy said the decision was a "win for commonsense and a win for football fans".
"We welcome any engagement with the government and Fed Square management on how to ensure the venue is safe for fans and ultimately provides a place to develop winning World Cup memories that last a lifetime," he said.
The Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, which manages and operates Fed Square, is owned by the Victorian government.
Victoria's Shadow Sport Minister Brad Battin on Tuesday condemned the decision not to allow screenings as "un-Australian".
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