...By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
Forest Green Rovers chairman, Dale Vince, has stated that he continues to support Just Stop Oil, a group that disrupted the World Snooker Championship on Monday in order to protest against oil drilling.
Activists from Just Stop Oil stormed the Crucible during the opening round of the event, with one person covering themselves in powder.
Vince, who also owns energy company Ecotricity, has said that he was not aware of the group’s plans to target snooker, but insists that he is supportive of their mission and methods.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Vince explained that he backs what they do, that they are doing brilliant work, and that they are putting themselves in harm’s way to make an important point.
The chairman added that we have to stop drilling for oil and gas because we are in the teeth of a climate crisis.
Two protestors were able to storm the tables during the evening session at the Crucible, with one being tackled by a referee before they could climb on top of the table.
However, the other protestor was able to get on the table during the match between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry, before pouring powder over themselves, which caused the match to be halted and rescheduled.
Just Stop Oil has received criticism for using sport to promote their political agenda, but Vince disagrees, stating that it is not a political issue, but rather a life and death issue for everyone on the planet, particularly future generations.
Dale Vince is the owner of the English Football League club Forest Green Rovers, which has had a difficult season and currently sits bottom of League One.
The team has already been relegated to League Two after just one season in the third tier, having won just one of their last 22 league matches.
