Stephen Lee has recently discussed the possibility of making a comeback to the World Snooker Tour after serving a 12-year ban for match-fixing. The former snooker player, who was suspended in 2014 by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), has now completed his ban and is eligible to participate in WPBSA-sanctioned events like Q-School to re-enter the main World Snooker Tour.
In a recent interview, the 51-year-old, who now resides in Thailand, expressed his reluctance to return to professional snooker at the top level due to the lack of support he feels he received from the WPBSA. Lee stated that he prefers playing at a lower level and has no plans to go through the rigorous process of Q-School or work with the WPBSA again.
Lee mentioned that he has other interests and pursuits besides snooker and emphasized that he has no desire to rejoin the World Snooker Tour. Should he decide to make a comeback, Lee would need to settle a £125,000 payment with the WPBSA related to legal matters and appeals before being allowed to compete.
Prior to his ban, Lee achieved a world ranking of fifth and had notable performances in tournaments such as the World Championship and the Masters in 2008. However, his career took a downward turn when it was revealed that he deliberately lost matches and engaged in match-fixing activities.
The WPBSA enforced a strict penalty on Lee as part of their zero-tolerance policy towards match-fixing in the sport, emphasizing their commitment to addressing such issues decisively. Lee’s suspension was one of the most severe penalties handed out in snooker history until a Chinese match-fixing scandal in 2023 resulted in even harsher lifetime bans for other players involved in similar activities.
It is important to note that there is no indication that any opposing players were aware of Lee’s involvement in match-fixing during his career.