Shamed Stephen Lee has refused to rule out a return to top-level snooker when his 12-year ban for match-fixing ends two years from today.
The disgraced 48-year-old from Trowbridge was the fourth and now rarely mentioned member of the ‘Class of 1992’ along with Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams. Lee’s career achievements including five ranking titles were all forgotten as he was found guilty of seven counts of fixing matches over 2008-2009.
And the ban, resulting from the worst case of its kind, will come to an end on his 50 th birthday exactly 24 months from Wednesday. Lee said: “I must get asked this weekly, daily, minutely. I would like to say no….but I am still capable of playing. Let’s see what happens in two years. It’s not a no, and not a yes.
“We can only just see what happens in a couple of years’ time. I have some exciting things coming up, and I’m also getting older. My eyes are getting worse, and I never had good eyes to start with. As you get older the determination and the fire goes.”
However there remain considerable barriers to a comeback that would impact the game negatively in PR terms. After appeals, Lee was left owing governing body the WPBSA £125,000 in costs – and not a penny of that has yet been repaid to the players’ organisation.
There has been a lack of contrition from Lee that is likely to prove a real problem should he try and negotiate a deal with snooker bosses over the unpaid debt. Ultimately that decision will rest with the WPBSA board with input from current players. But without a genuine acceptance of guilt, it is possible the whole amount would have to be paid up front.
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With an expression of contrition, a lesser amount in advance plus money taken off future prize money could become an option on the table. And then Lee would have to qualify for the main tour by one of several routes including Qualifying School, the secondary amateur Q Tour, or events such as the WSF Championship.
Another twist is the emergence of Lee’s son Alfie, 19, as one of the better amateur prospects in English snooker. He has been playing in unofficial 900 event this week.
The strict terms of Lee’s ban mean he also cannot attend any WPBSA-affiliated tournament in any capacity, be that parent, spectator, coach or player. And the possibility looms that Lee junior could be on the tour as early as next year, but with his dad unable to witness any elevation to the pro ranks.
