Stephen Lee Eligible to Return After 12-Year Ban

Stephen Lee, a former world No. 5 snooker player, is now eligible to return to professional play after his 12-year ban for match-fixing ended on October 12, 2024. Lee, who was found guilty of fixing matches between 2008 and 2009, was implicated in a betting scandal involving multiple matches and described by WPBSA as the worst case of corruption they had encountered. Despite maintaining his innocence, he was banned following a tribunal hearing and an unsuccessful appeal, resulting in legal costs totaling £125,000 that he still owes the WPBSA. While Lee has expressed ambivalence about returning to the sport, citing age and declining vision, he must clear his debts to rejoin competitive snooker, potentially through qualifying events like Q Tour. His case was notable for its severity until recent lifetime bans were issued to other players, highlighting ongoing concerns about integrity in the sport.