Stephen Lee, once a top contender on the World Snooker Tour, has spoken out for the first time since completing his 12-year ban for match-fixing. The ban, issued by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) in 2014 and backdated to 2013, stemmed from an investigation that found Lee guilty of deliberately throwing several matches, including a high-profile one at the World Championship.
Having now fully served his suspension, Lee is technically eligible to re-enter competitive play through WPBSA-affiliated events like Q-School, a qualifying tournament for regaining a main tour card. However, in a rare interview, the 51-year-old made it clear he has no intention of returning to professional snooker. Speaking to The Hindu, Lee cited the lengthy absence from the sport, lack of support from the WPBSA, and personal circumstances as key reasons for stepping away.
“I’m still able to enjoy playing snooker at a certain level,” Lee said. “But I’m not silly enough to think I’m going back after 12 years. Twelve years is too long. I’m not prepared to waste any time battling it out in Q School.” He added, “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.”
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Lee, who now lives in Thailand, also shared a poignant personal note, revealing that his wife passed away two years ago and had opposed his return to professional snooker. “I’ve got zero interest in the World Snooker Tour, I’m going to do other things,” he said.
Additionally, Lee faces a significant financial hurdle before any potential return: a £125,000 debt owed to the WPBSA related to legal fees and failed appeals. The governing body confirmed that reaching a satisfactory settlement of these costs would be necessary for him to compete again.
Before his career was derailed, Lee reached as high as fifth in global rankings, competed in a World Championship semi-final, and played in the Masters final in 2008. However, his legacy was marred by findings that he intentionally lost matches and frames between 2008 and 2009 to benefit gambling interests, actions that led to the longest ban in snooker history at that time.
The WPBSA reiterated its strict stance on match-fixing, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy aimed at preserving the sport’s integrity. Lee’s suspension was the toughest penalty handed down until the 2023 Chinese match-fixing scandal, which resulted in lifetime bans for players Liang Wenbo and Li Hang, as well as lengthy suspensions for eight others, including reigning world champion Zhao Xintong.