Snooker Legend gives update on his return to snooker as 12-year ban ends this year

Stephen Lee, the former World No.5 in snooker, seems to have ruled out a comeback despite his 12-year ban ending. He received the hefty penalty in 2012 for match-fixing in 2008 and 2009. Despite his previous success with five titles, it appears unlikely that the 49-year-old will make a return to the game, even though he’s now eligible to do so later this year.

In response to a fan’s request on Facebook for a comeback, Stephen Lee firmly stated, “No chance, my friend.” He further explained, “I struggle with the break-off nowadays; it’s up to my son to take the reins.”

Stephen Lee’s son, Alfie, shows promise as an amateur snooker player, having participated in Q School and the 2023 WSF Championship.

His recent statements mark a significant shift from his previous remarks about a potential return to the sport. In a 2022 interview with the Daily Mirror, Stephen Lee expressed openness to the idea of returning to the world of billiards for competition.

“I must get asked this weekly, daily, minutely,” Stephen Lee said in 2022. “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.”

He also mentioned, “Let’s see what unfolds in a couple of years. Exciting opportunities are on the horizon, and as I age, my eyesight deteriorates – which was never great to begin with. With age, determination and focus tend to wane.”