A protest by Sasha Swan, an OnlyFans model, disrupted the World Snooker Championship final on May 3, 2026, at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. The incident raised significant questions regarding the BBC’s licence fee and its implications for public broadcasting.
During the high-stakes match between Shaun Murphy and Wu Yize, Swan shouted, ‘who f—ing pays their TV licence anyway’ before jumping over a barrier. This unexpected outburst led to her ejection from the venue and briefly halted the game.
Wu Yize had been leading the match with a score of 10-7 after two sessions when the protest occurred. The final was being broadcast live on BBC One, adding to the visibility of the disruption. John Parrott, a commentator at the event, reassured viewers shortly after, stating, ‘Sorry for that disturbance, it’s all sorted.’
The protest is part of a broader trend of disruptions throughout this year’s World Snooker Championships. Earlier in the tournament, another spectator was ejected during a semi-final for shouting about unrelated topics, indicating a growing pattern of protests at significant sporting events.
Key details:
- The protest occurred during a crucial moment in the championship final.
- Sasha Swan’s actions are linked to ongoing debates about public funding for broadcasting services.
- This incident follows previous protests at snooker finals, including one involving Just Stop Oil activists in 2024.
As tensions continue regarding media funding and public service broadcasting, further developments may arise. Fans and commentators alike are left pondering how these protests might influence future events in sports and media policy.
