Misbehaving fans force Toronto to cancel FIFA World Cup watch party
A free FIFA World Cup watch party was shut down early Tuesday night after fans broke the rules regarding flares and fireworks at Nathan Phillips Square.
Thousands of supporters had gathered outside Toronto City Hall to watch the opening Group J clash between Argentina and Algeria, but celebrations went too far midway through the second half.
Shortly after superstar Lionel Messi scored his third goal to give Argentina a 3-0 lead, flares and fireworks were launched into the air in the public square, which prompted the City of Toronto to turn off the giant screens and end the event.
Fans in attendance were not happy with the decision.
"Expecting fans to just sit down and do nothing at these events is silly," one attendee wrote on social media. "It's just another example of Toronto not being familiar with football culture."
"Welcome to Toronto, where fun is outlawed," another commented.
Toronto's FIFA World Cup Secretariat told blogTO that the viewing party was cancelled because the pyrotechnics posed a public safety risk.
Flares and fireworks are banned items at both the city's FIFA Fan Festival and Toronto Stadium. But with no security screening at Nathan Phillips Square, nothing stops supporters from potentially bringing pyrotechnics into the event.
"On-site staff ended the Nathan Phillips Square viewing party earlier than scheduled on June 16 due to a public safety concern," the statement sent to blogTO reads.
"The City of Toronto will continue to prioritize the safety of our attendees, staff and volunteers during our events."
Since the tournament kicked off last week, Nathan Phillips Square has hosted several FIFA World Cup match broadcasts and a fan zone featuring soccer-themed activities, which has quickly become a popular gathering spot for international supporters.
Toronto is slated to host four more FIFA World Cup group-stage matches in the next two weeks, along with a knockout stage game between the runner-up of Group K and Group L on July 2.
