Former world number five Stephen Lee has been banned from snooker for 12 years after being found guilty of seven match-fixing charges. The 38-year-old was convicted by an independent tribunal last week, and the ban, effective from 12 October 2012, means he cannot play until 12 October 2024. He has also been ordered to pay £40,000 in costs and plans to appeal.
The charges relate to seven matches in 2008 and 2009, including three at the Malta Cup, two at the UK Championship, one at the China Open, and one at the World Championship. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) had sought a lifetime ban, but the 12-year suspension is effectively the same, according to head of disciplinary Nigel Mawer.
Mawer stated: 'We did say we were seeking a life ban... but in effect it is a life ban because I think it is highly unlikely that Stephen Lee will be able to come back to the sport at this level.' He added that the ban sends a strong message against match-fixing and noted that only four incidents have been investigated in 7,000 matches.
Former player Willie Thorne agreed that the ban is effectively a lifetime one, as Lee will be 50 when it ends. Thorne also revealed he once refused a £20,000 offer to throw a match at the Masters against Joe Johnson.
