The Crucible Theatre’s famous green baize turned orange at the world snooker championship on Monday when a protester interrupted a match by jumping on the table and releasing a packet of powder, causing play to be suspended.
Two “Just Stop Oil” protesters invaded snooker’s most famous arena shortly after play began in two matches in the evening session.
On one table, where Robert Milkins and Joe Perry were playing, a man leapt onto the table — scattering the balls — and threw orange dye over one half of the baize as boos and jeers came from the audience.
On the other table, featuring a match between Mark Allen and Fan Zhengyi, a woman was stopped from getting onto the table by the quick-thinking response of referee Olivier Marteel.
Both protesters were taken away by security, but the incident forced a stoppage in play while the mess was cleaned up.
