The World Snooker Championship final between Wu Yize and Shaun Murphy was temporarily halted on Sunday after a protester jumped onto the arena floor at the Crucible Theatre. The female protester, shouting 'nobody pay their TV licences', was quickly apprehended by referee Rob Spencer as both players watched on.
The incident occurred during the third frame, with Wu leading 2-0. Security staff removed the protester, prompting applause from the crowd. BBC commentator John Parrott apologised for the 'minor disturbance', saying it was 'all sorted'. The disruption came just 24 hours after another spectator was ejected from the venue for shouting 'never forget the Epstein Files' during Wu's semi-final against Mark Allen.
Wu secured his place in the final with a dramatic 17-16 victory over Allen on Saturday night. Allen missed a simple black in the deciding frame, allowing Wu to clinch the win. Speaking after the match, Allen said: 'You don’t deserve to be in a world final if you’re missing balls like that. It was just pure pressure.' He added that Wu is 'going to win many world titles'.
Murphy, meanwhile, booked his spot in the final by defeating John Higgins 17-15. He twice overturned two-frame deficits in the final session. Higgins missed a black on a break of 50, allowing Murphy to clear and secure his first world final since winning the title in 2005. Murphy praised Higgins, saying: 'The harder it gets out there, the tougher he gets and the better he plays. If I’m half the player when I’m in my 50s, I’ll be very proud.'
