'Rowdy' World Cup fans storm barriers, set off more than 50 flares in Melbourne
Police had a "challenging night" managing thousands of fans at Melbourne's Federation Square during the Matildas' World Cup semi-final, with crowds storming through barriers and setting off flares.
Organisers announced the site had hit its 10,000 capacity an hour before the match against England began, but supporters pushed past security guards and storming through several barriers about half an hour later in an attempt to watch the action.
Police were seen rushing to help security teams as they attempted to stop the crowds.
LIVE: The World Cup moment Matildas hero doesn't want to relive
Flares were set off amongst the crowd at Federation Square. The Age
Flares were let off at Federation Square. Getty
More than 50 flares were then discharged, with multiple thrown into the crowd, according to police.
"Luckily at this stage, we’re not aware of anyone being injured," a police spokesperson said this morning.
Police have said "a large rowdy group of mainly male youths, part of the active supporter groups" were behind the flares.
"It was a challenging night for our members out at Federation Square," the spokesperson said.
"Officers were constantly trying to ensure the safety of the crowd, managing and monitoring public order."
Four males aged between 16 and 23 were hit with $962 fines for possessing flares and a 16-year-old male was cautioned in relation to throwing a flare.
Police have said they have CCTV of the "flare incidents" and that detectives will be investigating them.
READ MORE: Warning over turmeric and curcumin supplements after death
Fans stormed through barriers at Melbourne's Federation Square. Getty
Security teams struggled to keep locked-out supporters out of Fed Square after it reached capacity. Alex Crowe
Authorities advised locked-out fans to head to nearby AAMI Park, which has a capacity of 30,000, where another live site had been set up for Australia's first-ever appearance in a World Cup semi-final.
Police were "very happy with the crowds at AAMI Park and at the many bars and pubs throughout the CBD and surrounding suburbs".
The only incident at AAMI Park involved a man being given a penalty notice for having a flare.
In Sydney, fans with tickets making a late dash to the semi-final were left in the lurch when urgent repairs to trains at Redfern Station caused some delays.
Transport for NSW said that while services were running frequently, trips to Olympic Park were taking about 15 minutes longer than expected.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
