Snooker star hit with large 12-year ban defined why he has no intention of constructing comeback
A snooker star found guilty of match-fixing has emphatically ruled out an attempt to rejoin the World Snooker Tour
Stephen Lee before being hit with his massive ban(Image: Getty)
Disgraced snooker star Stephen Lee has made it clear why he has no plans to return to the sport’s top table.
Lee, now 51, got as high as fifth in the world rankings, reached a World Championship semi-final and was runner-up at the Masters in 2008 before his career came crashing down. He was hit with a 12-year suspension in 2014 – backdated to 2013 when his initial suspension started – following an investigation by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), the sport’s governing body.
He was found guilty of fixing multiple matches, including one at the World Championship. Lee has now completed his ban, meaning he is eligible to compete in WPBSA-sanctioned events, like Q-School, which he would need to go through to get back on the World Snooker Tour (WST).
However, Lee has said he has no intention of returning to the top level, citing the lack of support he received from the WPBSA. Now based in Thailand, he told The Hindu late last year: “I’m still able to enjoy playing snooker at a certain level. But I’m not silly enough to think I’m going back after 12 years.
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“Twelve years is too long. I’m not prepared to waste any time battling it out in Q-School.
“And working again for WPBSA does not appeal to me one bit. WPBSA never did anything for me as an association; they don’t help players.”
He then opened up about the wishes of his late wife, adding: “I lost my wife two years ago. She never wanted me to go back and play professional snooker. I’ve got zero interest in the World Snooker Tour, I’m going to do other things.”
Lee can take part in amateur events not sanctioned by the sport’s governing body. Last year, he competed in the Embassy Snooker Open in California , where he claimed the $10,000 (£7,500) top prize.
“It’s a long few days,” he said of the tournament, which involved a group stage. “I’ve not competed for a while and I was worried about lots of group games. I always want to play well, but the well bit didn’t happen.
“I’m over the moon to come and win a few matches, just a bit gutted not to get a century. It’s nice to come and compete, brings back some nice memories.”
If Lee did want to return to the elite level, he would have to settle a £125,000 bill with the WPBSA related to court cases and unsuccessful appeals. Lee is just a year older than the ‘Class of 92’ of Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams.
The legendary trio are still going strong after entering their sixth decade. All three are through to the second round at this week’s German Masters. O’Sullivan plays old rival Ali Carter, Mark Williams goes up against Jimmy Robertson and Masters runner-up Higgins faces Zhou Yuelong.
