A protest by Sasha Swan, an OnlyFans model, disrupted the World Snooker Championship final on May 3, 2026, at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, drawing attention to ongoing tensions surrounding the BBC’s funding model. The incident occurred during the match between Shaun Murphy and Wu Yize, where Swan shouted, ‘who f—ing pays their TV licence anyway’ before jumping over a barrier and was subsequently ejected.
The brief halt in play, which was confirmed by various sources, reflected broader discontent regarding the BBC licence fee and its implications for public broadcasting. This incident is significant as it forms part of a series of disruptions that have characterized this year’s World Snooker Championships, including a prior incident during the semi-finals where another spectator was removed for shouting about ‘the Epstein files.’
Key facts:
- The protest occurred during a crucial moment when Wu Yize led with a score of 10-7 after two sessions of play.
- The final match was being broadcast live on BBC One.
- John Parrott, a commentator, addressed the disturbance by stating, ‘Sorry for that disturbance, it’s all sorted.’
Such protests are not unprecedented; previous finals have seen similar interruptions. Notably, activists from Just Stop Oil targeted a match in 2024. The increasing frequency of these disruptions suggests a growing platform for dissent regarding national issues within high-profile sporting events.
As authorities continue to manage these incidents, uncertainty lingers regarding potential regulatory changes to the BBC’s funding model and how they might affect future broadcasts. The next major event in this context is anticipated to involve discussions around media funding scheduled for later this year.