Welcome to Country booing at Australia Cup final condemned

Australian soccer's governing body has condemned a small section of the crowd who jeered during the Welcome to Country at Saturday's Australia up Final. South Melbourne became the first National Premier Leagues side to win the Australia Cup, beating the A-League side Melbourne Victory on penalties at AAMI Park. But the occasion was marred by the booing of Uncle Colin Hunter Jr's Welcome to Country by a section of the crowd at the south end of the stadium. Football Australia chief executive Martin Kugeler said in a statement that the incident was "not reflective of the respect and inclusivity that define our game". "Football has a proud connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities," he said. "Football is a game for everyone, and we remain committed to ensuring our matches are welcoming and respectful occasions for all." Loading Instagram content Victoria's Minister for Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos also criticised those fans who booed, saying it was "not our best moment". "In Greek we have an important word for how we should act: filotimo, doing the right thing by others with dignity," he said in a social medai statement. "Generations of migrants, including my own community, were welcomed into this country. "We should show the same respect to the people who have been on these lands for many years before we got here." Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece said the match was a great occasion, but he was saddened by the jeering during the Welcome to Country. "That was extremely disappointing to see. It was shameful actually," he said. "As Australians we show respect and people should show respect during the Welcome to Country." The booing incident follows punishments handed down in June to Neo-Nazi hecklers who booed during an Anzac Day dawn service Welcome to Country in 2025. The four men were convicted and fined over the incident. A planned Welcome to Country at an Anzac Day NRL match between Melbourne Storm and the South Sydney Rabbitohs was cancelled later on the same day. Melbourne Storm apologised for cancelling the Welcome to Country, but said it was not related to the booing.