Inner West Mayor calls out FIFA for restricting fan access to World Cup training sessions

By JUSTIN COOPER

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off yesterday, Inner West Council has made a public request for locals to be given access to watch players train ahead of matches within Sydney.

Leichhardt Oval is currently being used as a training ground for multiple teams, however, due to FIFA regulations national team training session at the oval are not open to the public.

Following the announcement of the Republic of Ireland team’s arrival at the oval on Wednesday, a few residents posted on Facebook regarding the “downside” of the public being unable to see them train.

Comments were made under a post from Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne, who greeted the team along with the local children’s team, Leichhardt Saints Football Club.

On the post, some residents registered their disappointment over not being able to enter the stadium to view the players train.

One commenter explained their disappointment in FIFA not allowing the young team to view the training, saying “Surely they could arrange even an hour/30 minutes open session for kids to [look] at before/after a closed training session for the team.”

Byrne has now requested FIFA to allow access for local residents who want to watch players from the Women’s World Cup at the oval, saying it would be a way for FIFA to give back to the community for utilising such facilities.

“Aussie boys and girls would get such a thrill from watching their heroes train. Who knows how many future Sam Kerrs could be inspired by the chance to see their heroes in action at the Eighth Wonder of the World,” said Byrne.

Whilst acknowledging that some training must understandably be private, Byrne said a short window of time  for the public to see the players would have a lasting impact for young players.

“For FIFA to miss the chance to do something lasting and positive for Football and the women’s game is a massive own goal that will only lessen the impact and legacy of this once in a lifetime event,” Byrne continued.

Multiple international teams will be using the Leichhardt Oval for training over the next 2 weeks including Korea, France, Jamaica, Denmark and Colombia.

With 11 matches to be held within Sydney during the World Cup, it is unsure whether permission from FIFA will come in time to allow the public to view any training.

City Hub reached out to FIFA regarding their regulations against public viewing of teams training but did not receive a response by the time of publication.