EXCLUSIVE: Craig Foster rips 'absurd' decision to stop Fed Square viewing parties during World Cup as Football Australia urges the same

Craig Foster is fuming over the "absolutely absurd" decision not to play any of the Socceroos' World Cup matches on the big screen at Federation Square next month.

And now Football Australia has similarly strongly urged the call to be overturned in a statement released on Wednesday night.

The Melbourne Arts Precinct venue management has confirmed that they will not show any of Australia's games at the iconic Melbourne live site due to past issues with wild supporters that was "simply unacceptable and damaging" to the venue.

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The venue opposite Flinders Street Station has hosted countless iconic football moments over the year, with fans packing out the area in green and gold jerseys to support the Socceroos and Matildas.

Vision of fans at sites like Federation Square are frequently broadcast in coverage of major live events, including the Matildas' heroic World Cup campaign in 2023.

Venue managers at Federation Square have in the past had to open AAMI Park as an alternative viewing site due to crowd capacity limits, most recently doing so when the Matildas faced England in the World Cup semi final.

The Socceroos also had large numbers turn up at the site to watch their 2022 World Cup matches, even though matches were being broadcast in the early hours of the morning.

Melbourne Arts Precinct Director & CEO Katrina Sedgwick confirmed in a statement to Wide World of Sports that alternative venues will be organised across the city.

"Like so many Australians, we're absolutely thrilled to see the Socceroos back on the world stage, and we'll be cheering them on every step of the way of the World Cup. But after careful consideration, we've made the decision not to show the World Cup on Fed Square's Big Screen this year," she said.

Football Australia however has called for the famous venue to overturn its call.

"The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world and unites Australia's multicultural communities, while reinforcing our national identity," FA CEO Martin Kugeler said.

"Live sites create iconic moments for Australian sports fans. They bring all Australians together to celebrate and cheer our National Teams competing on the biggest stage.

"Melbourne is one of Australia's sporting and multicultural capitals, and this decision goes against this tradition.

"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.

"This decision is disappointing, and we are asking our fans to join us in calling on the Melbourne Arts Precinct and the Victorian Government to correct their decision in the best interests of football fans, local businesses and all Victorians."

Instances of flares being lit and fans being injured while watching the national team has unfolded in the past, but Foster does not agree they are reason enough to end the traditional viewing party.

"Whoever made this decision is an idiot ... I'm just staggered that it could happen," Foster told Wide World of Sports.

"I can't believe it. I can only believe that it's gonna be overturned because it's so absurd.

"Those moments at Fed Square, or even up in Brisbane or Sydney, have become iconic Australian moments culturally and socially. They're one of the few times that hundreds of thousands of Australians come together, wear the green and gold and have the opportunity to share the immense pride that we feel when these teams do well.

"We saw it with the Matildas when we hosted our own World Cup. Australians were wearing our Matildas jerseys and and cheering, whether that be in pubs and clubs, in bars, at home ... in those moments where everyone is sharing that emotion together, that's a very special cultural phenomenon that we shouldn't give up easily."

Foster has been part of several events at Federation Square over the 24 years he has been in the media, and admits he is aware of the crowd errors in the past.

But the unity and pride that the majority of the fans show when arriving to watch Australia's national teams play at the Victorian site should not be disregarded by decision makers.

"It makes absolutely no sense that you wouldn't want to capitalise on that moment to bring Victorians together, to stand shoulder to shoulder and watch our most love national teams," Foster added.

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"Australian football shouldn't have to argue about this. It should just be really simple. Australian football can't stand for this. I don't think we should stand for this.

"There's always gonna be some small elements for the authorities to manage (at major events), football is not exceptional in that way, so let's stop pretending it is.

"It is a ridiculous portrayal of football that it is somehow exceptional. It doesn't matter which sport it is or which group comes together, the football community has demonstrated over the last 22 years that not only is it incredibly well-behaved, it's extraordinarily passionate. It's immensely patriotic.

"These are moments when you see more green and gold when the Matildas and Socceroos play than any other time.

"No self-respecting Australian would ever make this decision, given that this is our chance to actually come together as a country."

The Herald Sun reports that alternative live sites will be organised.