Just Stop Oil: Why protesters are tying themselves to goalposts

If you've been watching the football recently, you may have noticed there have been some pretty weird stoppages.

It's had nothing to do with VAR - or the actions of players.

Protesters have been running onto the pitch and attempting to tie, handcuff or glue themselves to the goalposts.

It's so far happened during four matches, with varying levels of success.

In the game between Everton and Newcastle on 17 March, the match had to be stopped while security attempted to remove 21-year-old Louis McKechnie - who was eventually cut free using a pair of bolt cutters and was led from the ground, to boos from the crowd, by police.

Merseyside Police have confirmed he was arrested and charged with pitch encroachment and aggravated trespass.

Who is responsible for these protests?

The group that has claimed responsibility is called Just Stop Oil.

They describe themselves as a "coalition of groups working together" to demand the government stop the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal in the UK.

"We must urgently end our reliance on fossil fuels to avoid irreversible changes in the earth's climate system," their website says.

The group says it wants action both in the short and long-term to reduce demand for fossil fuel energy - such as home insulation and renewable energy.

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A protester attempting to attach themselves to a goalpost during the Arsenal and Liverpool game

If the tactics seem familiar, it's because - like other groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain - Just Stop Oil claim to be willing to use "non-violent civil resistance" to make their point in public spaces.

That includes things such as strikes, boycotts, mass protests and disruption.

Some people have criticised those types of methods as being too extreme and creating too much disruption to people's lives.

After the protest during the Everton game, presenter Gary Lineker said in a tweet whether "you approve of this young man's methods or not, he's right, his future is perilous".

• What is Extinction Rebellion and what are its aims?

• Why is Insulate Britain blocking roads?

What the people involved say

In videos and messages posted online, those involved in the action have spoken about their involvement.

Kai, 20, locked onto the goalpost at the Emirates Stadium during the Arsenal vs Liverpool match on 16 March.

"I don't want food to run out for me or my loved ones when severe weather events mess up our food supply. I don't want billions of people to be forced from their homes," he says.

"If we lose control of our climate, which is exactly where we're headed at the moment, then we put everything and everyone at risk.

"My generation won't have a future."

One of the four protesters at the Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham match

Louis said "it's 2022 and it's time to look up, time to step up and not stand by".

"It's time to act like it's an emergency," he adds.

Christy, who attempted to disrupt the Wolves vs Leeds game on Friday, said "it's ordinary people who suffer most".

He added: "I trust the people and the people need to know how serious this is".

Speaking before the Tottenham vs West Ham match this weekend, Nathan, 22 from Coventry said: "Right now millions around the world are reduced to fighting for their lives - rather than watching football."

"We don't have to stand by and watch this happen. Ordinary people can say no, not in my name."

Sport is not the only thing the group has been involved in disrupting, with protesters pictured at the Bafta Awards.

Just Stop Oil protesters at the Bafta Awards

Just Stop Oil have not yet responded to Newsbeat's request for further comment.

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