Ronnie O'Sullivan has voiced his support for Stephen Lee's potential return to professional snooker following a 12-year ban for match-fixing. The seven-time world champion believes the 50-year-old can still compete at a high level, despite his lengthy absence from the sport.
Lee, a former world number five, was found guilty of seven match-fixing charges in 2013 and his suspension only ended in October last year. He has yet to make a professional comeback, but his participation in an exhibition match in Thailand in August hinted at a possible return.
O'Sullivan told Sport Bible: 'Yeah, I think he could compete. I've watched some of the YouTube videos of him. He's a great cueist. How far he'd get up the rankings, I just don't know. But yeah, I think he's fresh, put it that way. He'll be eager to play, I think.'
However, Lee's return is not straightforward. The World Pool Billiards and Snooker Association reported in August that Lee still owes legal costs related to the case and unsuccessful appeals. If he settles those costs and becomes eligible, he would need to qualify through UK Q-School to rejoin the main tour.
Lee himself remains uncertain about a full comeback. In 2022, he told Mirror Sport: '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.'
O'Sullivan is not the only snooker legend to welcome Lee's potential return; John Higgins previously said he would welcome the Wiltshire-born player back 'with open arms'.
