Passport protesters target Crucible
A DEMONSTRATION marred the start of the Betfred World Snooker Championship yesterday when 25 people — and two dogs — staged an anti-vaccine passport protest outside the Crucible Theatre.
The annual 17-day tournament has been chosen as one of the Government’s pilot events to integrate fans back into sport, with 325 spectators — one third of capacity — allowed into each session.
Vaccine passports are not being used at the tournament, but protesters still held banners saying ‘Medical apartheid is wrong’, and ‘No Vaxx Passport — Inhumane’.
Snooker supremo Barry Hearn stressed how tight restrictions are for spectators. ‘Everyone in the building will have had a negative test,’ he said. ‘Public Health England have consistently told us our protocols are exemplary and we’ve earned the right to be a key step on the road to normality.
‘We are a major sporting event but there is also the bigger picture. Hopefully after this event we will have enough data to convince everyone that full crowds can return.’
Fans have to complete a four-step process to gain access to the arena. Spectators with tickets have to provide a negative test, sign a consent form, show photographic ID and sign in via the NHS Test and Trace app.
They will be asked to take another test home with them after the event.
The highlight of the day was defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan hitting three successive centuries in his 10-4 win against Mark Joyce in the first round.
Earlier, play was stopped for the first time in the 94-year history of the tournament as a mark of respect for the Duke of Edinburgh during his funeral service in Windsor.
Matches in the afternoon session were halted for a minute’s silence, with Neil Robertson’s clash with Liang Wenbo and Stephen Maguire’s tie against Jamie Jones interrupted as the funeral began.
Meanwhile, four-time winner John Higgins begins his bid for a fifth crown today — and is feeling the benefits of going tee-total.
The Scot quit drinking 18 months ago and is reaping the rewards of the decision ahead of his opening match against Tian Pengfei.
‘ I don’t miss drinking,’ Higgins said. ‘I didn’t have a problem, but I decided to cut it out and it’s worked for me. I feel better mentally and it just makes you sharper.’