One of the protesters throws the now famous orange powder onto the Twickenham pitch, much to the annoyance of players and fans. Credit: AFP/Ben
Stansall
Two Just Stop Oil protesters who interrupted Gallagher's Premier League final on Saturday have been charged by the Metropolitan Police.
The Met has confirmed that Samuel Johnson, 40, of Raydon, Suffolk, and Patrick Hart, 37, of Brislington, Bristol, were charged with aggravated trespass. The men are accused of taking the field in the middle of the first half of the final, which the Saracens won 35-25 by throwing orange powder paint across the field, causing loud hooting from a crowd of 60,000.
England winger Tom Curry helped the stewards get one of the protesters off the field, while Sale Sharks captain Jono Ross had to keep himself from colliding with another protester.
Commander Kyle Gordon of the Met said in a statement: “ To date, we have seen 102 Just Stop Oil slow marches across London that have caused major disruption and frustration for those doing business in the city, resulting in 51 arrests to date. .
“Similarly, yesterday's incident at the rugby final will be disappointing for players and spectators alike. Due to many other events taking place in our capital this weekend and many visitors to our capital, we will continue to monitor and respond quickly to such incidents.
#JustStopOil interrupts #PremRugby final pic.twitter.com/hEmcRrrqM6
— Rachel Burden (@rachelburden) May 27, 2023
“Where a protest escalates into crime or serious violations, we will take decisive action to ensure that Londoners and visitors to the city can continue to enjoy their public holiday weekend.”
Just Stop Oil has confirmed the identity and actions of its protesters. Serious questions are being raised about how easily the protesters were able to take to the pitch at Twickenham, as the organization makes no secret of their targeting high-profile events following similar protests at the World Snooker Championship and the Chelsea Flower Show.
One of the protesters was led off the field to a loud chorus of cheers and healthy splashing of drinks from a disgruntled crowd. Photo: PA/Mike Egerton
Indeed, Saracens and England second row Maro Itoye went so far as to suggest that the Premier League final, which aired on BT Sport and ITV, should have been targeted. Itoye, Saracens and English, second row, said, «I don't even know if we should be honored.»
Maybe we should be proud that they've set their sights on this as a big game enough to (attract attention).
"Perhaps this is good for Premiership Rugby. I've played with streakers before. I think when it happened it was the game against England.
“You can't pay too much attention to it. It gave us some time to rest and fair play with the guys who are fighting them. I was just conserving energy. I guess the whole purpose of what they're trying to do is try to raise awareness for their cause, but from a player's point of view, we just needed to focus on what's coming next, and that's what we were trying to do.»
Ross, who was playing the last match of his career, had a much less sympathetic point of view. “This is completely contrary to everything I believe in,” he said. “Then coming to sporting events and ruining sporting events week after week – I don’t agree with that. I don't agree with what they stand for.»
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