13-Year-Old World Cup Fan Allegedly Pepper Sprayed By Police During Overcrowded Gathering

By Quinny Tan  •  05 Dec 2022 in News

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There were incredible scenes across Australia as fans gathered in their thousands to cheer on the Socceroos in their World Cup match against Argentina a couple nights ago.

Despite the loss to 2-1 Argentina that night, it wasn’t the biggest devastation in the country – particularly, in Sydney’s Federation Square CBD.

In the midst of massive crowds gathering to cheer on their national team, the police had to contain the ruckus and one officer allegedly pepper sprayed a 13-year-old boy, which resulted in an official report lodged by the father.

There were approximately 15,000 people gathered in the town square, some of whom also had flares that were being lit and set off spontaneously.

It led to two members of the crowd being hospitalised, with reports that they were burnt by said flares. Another three people, including two police officers, were injured when fans charged through the already at-capacity crowd.

ALERT: Fed Square has reached capacity. If you are heading to Fed Square, please make your way to @AAMIPark #FIFAWorldCup #allforthesocceroos #giveit100

— Fed Square (@FedSquare) December 3, 2022

Trent Brickle said his son, Sonny, sustained injuries after police used pepper spray on a section of the crowd at 5:30am.

“Police sprayed my son and his mates in the face and body,” Brickle said. “They got pretty burnt. There were pretty distressed. They couldn’t see. They were freaking out.

“His first words to me after it happened were, ‘Dad, please don’t be mad, but I’ve been pepper-sprayed by police.’

“I know police were trying to manage a large crowd, but they’re 12 and 13-year-old kids. To be pepper-sprayed in the first instance is inappropriate.

“The most disappointing thing was that no-one helped. Victoria Police members didn’t help the kids, so it was up to bystanders to just sort of go over and see if they were OK.”

Check out the videos here:

Two fans have just had to exit the crowd, bleeding, after being hit by flares thrown around. https://t.co/GkQGkdYg29

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) December 3, 2022

Over an hour til kickoff and I’m delighted to report that fed square is already having an absolutely normal one #AUSARG #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/WEEbygixu9

— Lachie Flannigan (@lachieflannigan) December 3, 2022