Forfeiting for the Socceroos

The 2026 fixture had the Reserves playing Old Scotch in Metropolitan League 5 South-East at 1pm on Sunday 14 June. One hour later, the Socceroos would kick off their World Cup campaign against Turkey at 2pm.

On Wednesday 10 June the club announced the Reserves would forfeit the match so the squad could watch the game. After several animated group chat discussions, the club decided that asking players to choose between a Metro League 5 fixture and the Socceroos at a World Cup was neither reasonable nor in the national interest. With Football Victoria unwilling to move the fixture, it took matters into its own hands and accepted any consequences. Some things are simply bigger than three points.

The statement acknowledged that fixture scheduling is a complex undertaking, but said the club remained steadfast in its belief that no football should be played at the same time as the Socceroos at a World Cup. The Reserves squad would instead be reporting for national service at pubs, lounge rooms and sports bars across Melbourne.

The story went national within a day. Football360 picked it up on 10 June, and on Thursday 11 June President Thomas Burchsmith spoke to Rafael Epstein on ABC Radio Melbourne's Melbourne Mornings about amateur clubs around the country weighing up the same call. The same day the club joined Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo live on The Today Show. It also ran on 3AW in Melbourne and 6PR in Perth, and was picked up by news.com.au and by French sports media.

The Reserves match went into the record as a 3-0 forfeit win to Old Scotch.

As for the game that mattered, the Socceroos beat Turkey 2-0, with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.

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