World Snooker Championship 2023 protest: Just Stop Oil activists invade the Crucible and throw powder on table

Just Stop Oil protesters invaded the Crucible at the World Championship on Monday evening, with a man climbing on to the table during the match between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry and covering it in orange power. On the other table, where Mark Allen was playing the final session of his match against Fan Zhengyi, a woman tried to get on the baize but was pulled away by referee Olivier Martell. Both matches were immediately suspended, with the players leaving the arena.

Ad Milkins had just fouled when potting the green early in the first frame when a man jumped on the table and threw the powder. World ChampionshipShocking scenes as 'Just Stop Oil' protestor covers table with orange powderAN HOUR AGO Just Stop Oil confirmed they caused the incident in a statement: «At around 7:20pm, two Just Stop Oil supporters have disrupted the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, interrupting play. The pair proceeded to cover the tables in orange powder paint before being removed by security and arrested.» Play resumed in the Table 2 match between Allen and Fan just before 20:00 BST with the players getting a standing ovation from the Crucible crowd, with MC Rob Walker saying «this great event stops for no one».

Table 1 was covered, with Eurosport expert Dominic Dale suggesting the cloth would need replacing. The divide was lifted between the two tables so the fans could watch the Allen v Fan match. Allen joked to the crowd «I don't know what the fuss was all about» after potting the first ball on resumption.