Toronto World – Toronto’s free World Cup watch party at Nathan Phillips Square was cut short Tuesday night after organizers cited safety concerns tied to fireworks and smoke flares during Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria. The screens went off shortly after Lionel Messi comple
By the time Lionel Messi finished his hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria, the mood outside Toronto City Hall had started to change—fast.
Organizers ended the World Cup watch party early on Tuesday night at Nathan Phillips Square. saying fan behavior created “safety concerns.” The viewing party was part of FIFA-organized Watch Parties. held at the open square and run by the city. It is free to enter and has been scheduled across the tournament.
The decision came after the use of fireworks and smoke flares during the Argentina-Algeria match. Organizers intervened, turned off the screens, and made a public announcement telling fans the event would be ending.
Sharon Bollenbach. Executive Director of Toronto’s FIFA Secretariat. said on-site staff ended the Nathan Phillips Square viewing party earlier than scheduled on June 16 because of a public safety concern. She added that the City of Toronto will continue to prioritize the safety of attendees, staff and volunteers during events.
Even though attendees are not subject to security screening because the watch party takes place in an open square, police and security officials are present in the vicinity.
Toronto mayor Olivia Chow was there at the start of the event to greet visitors, but she was not on site by the time the party was curtailed.
Organizers did not respond when asked whether fans went through any security screening in order to enter the watch party.
Toronto is one of 16 host cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The city will host five World Cup games in total. The next match on Toronto’s schedule is Germany’s game against Ivory Coast on Saturday.
Toronto World Cup watch party Nathan Phillips Square safety concerns Argentina vs Algeria Messi hat-trick fireworks smoke flares Olivia Chow
Fireworks at a watch party seems like a bad idea, just let people watch the game.
So the screens turned off because of smoke flares? I mean was it really that dangerous or did they just not want a mess in the square? Either way fans will complain, typical.
Wait so nobody gets security screening but police are present… that’s kinda weird. Also Messi ending his hat trick and then the vibe changed like right after? Sounds like they blamed fireworks but maybe it was crowds getting rowdy? Idk.
This is why free events should have rules, like no flares, no fireworks, etc. But then again people are watching in an open square, so how could they even stop anything fast? And where was the mayor when it went sideways, like I’m not saying it’s her fault but cmon.