Updated 11.15
STEPHEN LEE’S SNOOKER career is effectively over after he was hit with a 12-year ban for match-fixing.
The disgraced English player was found guilty on seven counts of match fixing at a hearing earlier this month.
Lee, 38, was expected to receive a lifetime ban for his part in the biggest snooker scandal in recent years.
But as the former world number five will be 50 by the time his ban expires in October 2024, it is unlikely that he will ever play again.
Delivering his written decision this morning, Adam Lewis QC also ordered Lee to pay £40,000 in costs.
The charges stem from an investigation into eight matches played at four locations in 2008 and 2009, including one match at the 2009 World Championships.
Under the disciplinary rules of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, he has the right to appeal the finding and the sentence imposed.
“We take no pride in having to deal with such serious issues,” chairman Jason Ferguson said in a WPBSA statement.
“However this demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that snooker is free from corruption.
“It is an important part of our anti-corruption approach that players found to be involved in fixing matches or any aspect of a match are severely dealt with.
“We work closely with partners globally and the message we are sending is that if you get involved in match fixing you will be found out and removed from the sport.”
– Originally posted 10.58
