Soccer fans injured by burning flares at Federation Square have pleaded for stronger security to protect crowds.
The fans were packed in with thousands of others during Australia’s clash with Argentina, and had no room to move when flares were set off around them.
WATCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Soccer fan hit by Fed Square flares left with very nasty injury.
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Socceroo fan Sam Rogan was hit by a burning flare in the chaos and footage has emerged of the moment he was struck.
Rogan can be heard begging for “water, water, water” and seen running to his mates for help as the fire ate away the skin on his arm.
“Sheer panic, that’s all I can explain it,” Rogan told 7NEWS.
He and his friends were among 15,000 jammed into Fed Square for Australia’s World Cup match and, unlike AAMI Park’s live site, there were no bag checks.
Rogan has estimated that at least 40 flares were set off which caused wild scenes and forced the firefighters to turn up.
“I’ve had a few stove burns and nothing compares to this one. It feels like actual fire that’s hit your skin and when you look down and see your skin bubbling and stuff … it’s not fun to experience.”
Flares can burn at more than 1000 degrees.
Fire alarms went off below when several were thrown onto the canopy below the big screen.
Rogan’s friend was hit in the eye and both ended up in the hospital.
“Flares are part of soccer culture, I do understand that, but at the same time (there should be) a bit of common sense not to throw a flare,” Rogan said.
Doctors have told Rogan to keep his arm out of direct sunlight while it heals.
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