Barry Hearn, a former chairman of the World Snooker Tour, stated that sport was a “easy target” after protestors disrupted the World Championship of snooker on Monday.
One demonstrator covered a table with orange powder, delaying a match, while another protester attempted to glue herself to the table.
A male and a woman were arrested and subsequently released on bail.
Tuesday performances at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre resumed with “increased security.”
The World Snooker Tour (WST) has stated that additional security has been placed within the arena and on the playing surface, and that only very tiny bags will be permitted entry and will be “vigorously searched.”
The WST stated in a statement that player and spectator safety is “always our top priority” and that “robust measures are always in place.”
The demonstrators wore T-shirts that appeared to support the climate change activists Just Stop Oil, who later claimed online responsibility for the disruption.
It occurred two days after activists for animal rights delayed the start of the Grand National by entering the Aintree course.
In recent years, Just Stop Oil has disrupted several sporting events, with protestors attempting to bind themselves to goalposts during Premier League matches and invading the track at last year’s Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
“Am I shocked? Hearn, who founded the promotion company Matchroom Sport, responded negatively. Sport is such an effortless punching bag”.
Something as readily available as The Crucible. So small and intimate that you can almost shake hands with the performers.
“In my opinion, it did nothing but damage to their cause. They make no point whatsoever. They are simply disruptive, and when a protest is so disruptive that it prevents people from receiving value for their money and tickets, they are deprived of the opportunity. It constitutes larceny.”
Murphy predicts that the relationship with followers will evolve.
Former world champion Shaun Murphy opined that Monday’s incident could alter the sport’s future.
“I have long argued that security protocols and access are inadequate,” he said.
“Snooker is an easy target, and I would detest it. But I believe that the relationship between fans and sports will inevitably evolve.
“According to legend, the audience in the front row of the Crucible can reach out and touch the players or the table in play, but yesterday we witnessed this in action.”
Hearn stated that venues and promoters would reevaluate security to determine if adjustments were necessary, but it would be difficult.
He also stated that “clearer defined penalties” and “deterrents to stop others” were required.
“The Crucible is so small and private, but how can it be stopped when there are events such as the Open golf tournament and Wimbledon?” he continued.
“Consider the athletes and officials. Their initial response will be dread. We are in the industry of providing sports and entertainment to snooker players. Our mission is to entertain. Please allow us to continue working.
What occurred?
Robert Milkins and Joe Perry were playing their first-round match at the Crucible on table one when a man entered the playing area, leapt and kneeled on the table, and then emptied a bag of orange powder onto it.
Simultaneously, a woman attempted to attach herself to the opposite table, delaying Mark Allen’s match against Fan Zhengyi. She was halted by referee Olivier Marteel and was only able to grasp the middle pocket.
After security arrived, Marteel hauled both protestors away.
Master of ceremonies Rob Walker vacuumed the table to resume the contest.
While the Allen vs. Fan match resumed after a forty-minute pause, the other table had to be re-clothed overnight.
South Yorkshire Police reported that they had arrested a 25-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman on suspicion of criminal damage, and they remained in detention as of Tuesday morning.
It was frightening – Perry
Milkins and Perry will play again on Tuesday at 19:00 BST and Thursday at 09:30.
Perry told that he was in “a state of shock” as the incident unfurled.
“You wouldn’t expect something like that to occur anywhere, let alone here,” he said. “Initially, I didn’t know what to expect. Once it was over, I attempted to unwind, but at the time it was somewhat unsettling.
“We will travel tonight and everything will be fine. The delay is somewhat inconvenient, but we must cope with it.”
John Higgins, a four-time world champion from Scotland, stated, “If you go to other sporting events, you’ll find heightened security and superstars.”I don’t believe we view ourselves as superstars, nor do we consider snooker to be a major international sport.
