AAP Soccer

Plaque drama a week out from Women's World Cup

By AAP Newswire

Jul 13, 2023

Betty Cuthbert Marlene Matthews plaque — Plaques of Australian sporting greats including Betty Cuthbert and Marlene Mathews were damaged. -AAP Image

A fumbled directive to cover plaques commemorating Aussie sporting heroes during the Women's World Cup has left them defaced just a week before kick off.

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Officials have since reversed the decision to cover the plaques outside Allianz Stadium at Sydney's Moore Park, leaving them with adhesive damage after the coverings were removed.

The World Cup kicks off next Thursday with 80,000 people expected to watch the Matildas take on Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

A Venues NSW spokesperson said its staff were trying to to remove the adhesive which is still visible on the plaques.

"We are confident that we will be able to restore the plaques to their former glory," the spokesperson said.

Venues NSW maintains the plaques were covered at the direction of FIFA as part of its policy to remove any unofficial branding before the World Cup, which football's global governing body has denied.

Some of the statues covered up include those of footballing legend Johnny Warren, sprinter Betty Cuthbert and rugby great Ken Catchpole.

FIFA has taken operational control of the venue for the duration of the World Cup, in line with how many other major sporting events are run.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press