Disgraced Snooker star wins amateur tournament after 12-year match-fixing ban ends

Disgraced snooker star Stephen Lee won a prestigious amateur tournament in the United States.

The 51-year-old was hit with a 12-year suspension in 2014, backdated to 2013, after being found guilty of match-fixing.

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Lee’s ban is now over, meaning he is eligible to compete at WPBSA-sanctioned events.

He recently won the Embassy Snooker Open in California and scooped the top prize of $10,000 (£7,500).

“It’s a long few days,” Lee said after winning the tournament.

“I’ve not competed for a while and I was worried about lots of group games and matches and I always want to play well, but the well bit didn’t happen. 

“I played OK in patches but it does take it out of you. I’m pleased, really pleased, my fighting spirit’s still there but I must have had almost 30 or 40 frames and no century.

“It’s been tough, everyone’s very competitive here and I felt that. 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, it brings back some nice memories.”

Will Stephen Lee return?

As Lee’s ban has now expired, he is free to try and gain his tour card once again and get back on the World Snooker Tour.

He reached a career high ranking of world number five and made the World Championship semi-finals in 2003.

However, Lee has ruled out making a return to the professional circuit.

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He recently told The Hindu: “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.

“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.”

He added: “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 would also need to settle his £125,000 bill with WPBSA related to court cases and unsuccessful appeals.

What was Stephen Lee banned for?

The 51-year-old was banned from snooker in 2013 after being found guilty of match-fixing.

There were suspicious betting patterns surrounding a 2012 Premier League match, which he lost 4-2, and prompted further investigations.

The WPBSA brought charges relating to seven matches between 2008 and 2009 and including a World Championship clash at The Crucible.