- The Matildas have been immortalised at Suncorp Stadium
- They promised the team a statue after wowing everyone at the World Cup
- Football fans are outraged by the change in the tribute
Queensland has broken its promise to create a statue in honour of the Matildas after their strong showing at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup and instead opted to erect a plaque, angering football fans.
The national team became the first Australian team, men or women, to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup last year.
While the Matildas would ultimately lose that semi-final to England, history had already been made and then-Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk pledged to build a statue of them at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium in August 2023.
In the end, the Queensland government decided against it and instead opted for a bronze bas-relief mural showing the players celebrating.
The mural, unveiled on Tuesday, captures the moment players reacted when Courtnee Vine scored the game-winning penalty over France and propelled Australia into the semi-finals.
The installation, 5.5m long by 2.1m wide, is located at the southern entrance to Suncorp and has been criticised by football fans and experts alike.
“I had low expectations for this Matildas mural outside Suncorp Stadium, but even I didn’t expect… what this is,” sports journalist Mark Gottlieb wrote.
“The Matildas finally got their statue* at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium following their performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. *Not a statue. Actually, just a plaque,” journalist Luke Cooper posted.
The Matildas have been immortalised in a bronze mural outside Suncorp Stadium after they were originally promised a statue would be created in their honour.
The Matildas captivated the nation at last year’s Women’s World Cup and the mural shows their reaction to the penalty that propelled them into the semi-finals (pictured)
The promise made to the national team by then Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has been broken, and the mural that replaced it has collapsed like a lead balloon.
“It’s as insulting a gesture as any other. Even printing out a photo and laminating it would look better,” another X user posted.
“The Matildas mural looks like something you’d see on a dollar coin,” another replied.
However, Matildas star Tameka Yallop said being immortalised in bronze was a huge honour.
“Women have contributed so much to sport in Australia and have made a significant mark, creating moments like ours that have brought a nation together, whether it’s Betty Cuthbert, Susie O’Neill, Cathy Freeman or more recently Emma McKeon, Jess Fox and the female athletes who accounted for more than 60 per cent of our Paris 2024 Olympic medallists,” Yallop said. News Corporation.
Posts like this summed up the reaction of Australian football fans to the replacement of the statue promised to Sam Kerr and his teammates.
Many fans used humour to highlight their disappointment with the new addition to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Some commentators were fierce in pointing out how unimpressive they found the bronze mural.
“It’s wonderful to see so many boys and girls, men and women here today, inspired by the exploits of women in sport, and we are honoured to be part of that legacy through the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
Queensland Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said earlier this year that the Matildas had inspired more women and girls to become actively involved in sport.
“It’s fantastic that their efforts are recognised with a permanent tribute,” he said.
‘I can’t wait to see it up and running later this year.
‘The Matildas united the country through their performances and had a profound impact on our sporting landscape.
‘In a nation that loves its sport, the Matildas were not only the most-watched team on Australian television in 2023, their semi-final against England was the most-watched event in Australian television history.’