The woman crossed the barrier separating the stands from the competition area and rushed toward the snooker table during the first part of the final between Wu Yize and Shaun Murphy at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, on Sunday evening.
Match referee Rob Spencer immediately intercepted the woman to prevent her from reaching the table. Security quickly approached and removed her from the venue, allowing the match to resume shortly after.
According to The Sunthe intruder was identified as Sasha Swan, a model with over 36,000 followers on X who is active on adult content platforms.
While rushing onto the floor, she repeatedly shouted protests against mandatory U.K. television license fees. These fees are paid by British residents to watch BBC live broadcasts and services.
Adult content modal Sasha Swan. Photo taken from X |
Many spectators at the Crucible were upset by the interruption. Booing erupted from the stands, followed by loud applause as security escorted Swan away.
Hours later, Swan posted a video on social media taking credit for the incident. She continued to criticize BBC and the tournament, declaring that nobody is going to pay television license fees anymore.
Although the disruption lasted only a few minutes, it added to a string of chaotic events surrounding this year’s tournament.
Just a day earlier, the semifinal match between Wu and Mark Allen was interrupted when a male spectator repeatedly shouted about the Epstein files during a deciding frame, according to The Times.
Security swiftly intervened to eject the man from the stands as commentators requested assistance.
The World Snooker Championship is renowned for its hushed and reverent atmosphere. Spectators are strictly required to maintain absolute silence while players are aiming and taking shots. Any unexpected noise or ringing phone is considered highly disruptive.
Tournament organizers have continuously bolstered security in recent years following several disturbances. In 2023, environmental activists protested climate change by throwing orange powder onto the competition area, forcing a match postponement and a replacement of the snooker table.
This year, organizers dealt with spectators rushing the floor, shouting from the stands, and multiple instances of ringing mobile phones interrupting players mid-shot.
The disruption by Swan was particularly notable given its timing during the final showdown. The match concluded with an 18-17 victory for the Chinese player in a dramatic deciding frame.
With his victory, Wu became the youngest world champion in 36 years and the second consecutive Chinese player to conquer the Crucible, following Zhao Xintong’s triumph the previous year.
The Crucible has hosted the World Snooker Championship since 1977 and is widely considered the sport’s sanctuary. Its intimate layout, with stands placed very close to the tables, magnifies the tense atmosphere and ensures any disturbance is easily noticed. Any disruption at the venue quickly goes viral and becomes a major talking point across the U.K.
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