Dan Andrews gives 12,000 Matildas World Cup fans incredible news just days after being criticized for a tweet about Australia’s football heroes
Dan Andrews gives 12,000 Matildas World Cup fans incredible news just days after being criticized for a tweet about Australia’s football heroes
Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews has given thousands of Matildas fans a huge boost ahead of the World Cup quarter-final against France by showing them the match on the big screen at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena.
With rain forecast for the afternoon and evening, the Australian Open tennis venue is a perfect place for fans to catch the action as Sam Kerr and her teammates kick off the most important match in Matildas history.
Fed Square went wild for the Matildas on Monday. And tomorrow Rod Laver will too,” tweeted Andrews, referring to the huge crowd that gathered in Melbourne’s Federation Square to watch the Aussies beat Canada in the round of 16.
“We’re opening the arena and bringing the game to the big screen. Gates 3 and 4 at Rod Laver Arena open at 4:00 PM.
“There are 12,000 seats, first come, first served.”
Football fans wanting to watch the match between Matildas and France with a bit of atmosphere now have an ideal location to catch the action thanks to the Victorian government (pictured Sam Kerr with supporters after the World Cup victory over Denmark)
Rod Laver Arena opens its doors to fans with 12,000 seats available to watch the game on the big screen (pictured, Matildas fans in Melbourne’s Federation Square during the win over Denmark)
The roof at the host venue for the Australian Open tennis (pictured) should come in handy with the rain forecast in Melbourne on Saturday night
The Prime Minister’s move is the latest move to give fans across the country as many places as possible to attend the clash with Les Bleues, which kicks off at 5pm AEST in Brisbane.
The big screens at the SCG, MCG and Optus Stadium will all show the game, as the grounds transform into World Cup live sites before and after Saturday’s AFL games.
Andrews’ announcement comes just days after he was criticized for a tweet he posted about the women’s national soccer team.
Following Monday night’s big victory over Denmark in the World Cup Round of 16, Andrews was eager to get on board the Matildas bandwagon, with the team capturing the hearts and minds of the nation.
He shared a photo of Federation Square packed to the brim with fans, with the caption, “If you ever hear someone say no one wants to watch women’s sports, show them this.”
Andrews (pictured) sidelined Aussie women’s football fans with a tweet following Monday night’s victory over the Danes
The prime minister was accused of ‘virtue signaling’ after posting the above message on Twitter
Weekend Today presenter Sophie Walsh was one of the Aussies Andrews tackled
But Matildas fans weren’t happy with the comment, with supporters arguing Andrews didn’t need to refer to an outdated stereotype about the women’s game.
“Most people haven’t said that for years, Prime Minister, but thanks for the reminder,” Weekend Today presenter Sophie Walsh told Andrews.
Another snapped, “It’s you we don’t want to see.”
“Enough with the virtue signaling,” said a third fan. “You’re not the straight, white, able-bodied man sent to save us all, even though you think you are.”
Other fans pointed out that if Andrews really supports the women’s game, he should put his money on his sleeve and put resources into the sport.