Forest Green’s Dale Vince ‘accidently’ funding Just Stop Oil’s football protests

Forest Green chairman Dale Vince is amused to be “accidentally funding the disruption of Premier League games” by Just Stop Oil protesters after revealing he has given money to the organisation.

Everton’s match against Newcastle on March 17 had to be halted early in the second half after a man ran on to the Goodison Park pitch and strapped himself to the goalpost with a cable tie around his neck.

There was a significant delay while security staff attempted to remove the protestor, who was wearing an orange T-shirt supporting the group. He was eventually freed using a pair of bolt cutters before being led from the ground by police.

Merseyside Police later confirmed Louis McKechnie, 21, of Claremount Road, Weymouth had been charged with pitch encroachment and aggravated trespass. He is set to attend Liverpool Community Justice Court on April 19.

There were also protests at the Emirates Stadium during Arsenal’s match against Liverpool on March 16, while two people were removed by stewards as they ran on to the pitch and towards goal in the second half of Tottenham’s game against West Ham.

Climate change campaigner Vince, who founded green energy supplier Ecotricity, revealed he had been approached by organisers of the campaign group to help with funding.

While he had no personal input into the planned direct action, the Forest Green owner said he could empathise with the strong feelings behind the environmental issues being brought to public attention.

Asked if he knew who was funding the group, Vince told TalkSPORT: “It’s me actually.

“I had a chat a few weeks ago with the people who founded this, they live in Stroud, people that I know.

“They reached out and said, ‘We want to start a new campaign, would you help us with a