World Snooker Champs protestor storms table and covers it in powder during match
A protester suspended play at the World Snooker Championship after climbing onto table one and covering it in orange powder.
It occurred during the Robert Milkins vs Joe Perry clash in the evening session at the Crucible. The game had only just got underway, with Milkins leading 11-4 in a steady start from the world no.14, before the 'Just Stop Oil' protester climbed from the stands and onto the surface.
They then appeared to hold a bag of coloured chalk, before throwing in onto the cloth and filling over half of the table - with all but four balls covered.
After the protester was cleared, those at the tournament decided to remove every ball from the table and clean it, attempting to wipe every ounce of the orange chalk.
Mark Allen and China's Fan Zhengyi were also in action as the Englishman held a 6-3 advantage going into the final session of the day. Allen was leading 31-0 in the 10th frame, needing another four to win the best of 19 match.
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Another protester tried to attach themselves to Allen and Fan's table at the same time, but security were able to catch and escort them away without effecting the surface and balls. It is understood a 30-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, and both are in police custody.
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A statement from South Yorkshire Police on Monday night read: "Two people were detained after protestors gained entry to The Crucible earlier this evening (Monday 17 April). A 30-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. Both are in police custody."
Eurosport also reported that the matter was being dealt with the police, with all four players locked in the dressing room until Allen and Fan got back underway at 8pm - 40 minutes after the incident. But it was decided that no further action would be played on table one between Milkins and Perry.
Soon after the drama, Just Stop Oil group released a statement after two of their members halted play at the World Snooker Championship.
The protestor throws powder over the table (PA)"At around 7:20pm, two Just Stop Oil supporters have disrupted the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, interrupting play," they said on Twitter. "The pair proceeded to cover the tables in orange powder paint before being removed by security and arrested.
"They are demanding that the Government immediately stop all new UK fossil fuel projects and are calling on UK sporting institutions to step into in civil resistance against the Government’s genocidal policies."
MC Robert Walker, who was commentating on the game but later had to get involved in clearing and hoovering, said: "Incredible scenes at the Crucible.
"Everyone trying to enjoy the snooker, and I have never seen anything like this in 25 years of watching or working at this theatre. We will now have a significant delay, as Joe Perry and Rob Milkins manage to see the funny side."
The protestor was dragged off the table by security (PA)Seven-time world champion and BBC pundit Stephen Hendry said: "That was quite scary, actually. You wonder what will happen now.
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"Will they get the hoovers out? It caught us all by surprise, we were just watching it there. For me straight away you wonder is the table recoverable. Can it just be brushed off or hoovered up?"
Back in the studio, presenter Rishi Persad said: "History created at the Crucible, though not the sort of history we would like. But hopefully it looks like no one is hurt.
"Protesters causing trouble at the World Championship is not something we predicted, but these things are happening with increasing regularity. The players are all leaving the arena."
Orange powder on the table after a Just Stop Oil protester delayed the match (PA)It paused an action-packed first couple of days in Sheffield, which saw Neil Robertson record two 146 breaks and thrash Chinese debutant Wu Yize 10-3. It was a stunning performance from the 2010 champion, who booked his place in the next round, where he will face either Jak Jones following his win over Ali Carter.
"That's the best I've played here. For sure. Different types of opponents can change how you perform. He was very attacking so it was very open, but regardless of who I play, the frame is always going to be very open," said 41-year-old Robertson.
Meanwhile, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Luca Brecel, Stuart Bingham, Mark Williams and Hossein Vafaei Ayouri have also guaranteed their place in the next round. Several other first-round ties are set to played across the week, with Mark Selby and Kyren Wilson amongst those to feature on Wednesday.
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