Ronnie O'Sullivan issues verdict on World Snooker Championship star's return after 12-year ban
Stephen Lee has not played professional snooker since being found guilty of match-fixing charges, and Ronnie O'Sullivan has had his say on the former snooker star's potential return
Ronnie O'Sullivan has given his verdict on Stephen Lee's potential snooker return following his 12-year ban. O'Sullivan, a long-time rival of Lee, would welcome his comeback despite the former world No. 5 being found guilty of seven match-fixing charges in 2013.
The 50-year-old’s lengthy suspension only ended in October last year. The disgraced former World Snooker Championship star hasn't yet made a professional comeback, but his participation in an exhibition match in Thailand in August hinted at a possible return after a long absence.
The World Pool Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), which organises and sanctions all World Snooker Tour events, reported in August that Lee still owes legal costs related to the match-fixing case and unsuccessful appeals.
If he settles those costs and becomes eligible to play, he would still need to qualify through UK Q-School in order to return to the main tour.
Just as importantly, it remains uncertain whether Lee himself is actually keen to make a full comeback. However, O'Sullivan believes Lee could be successful if he does opt to return.
The seven-time world champion 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."
The Rocket last faced off against Lee at the German Open in 2012. He also defeated Lee 9-2 in the final of the China Open back in 1999.
When asked about a potential return after his ban, Lee revealed to Mirror Sport in 2022: "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. We can only just see what happens in a couple of years' time. I have some exciting things coming up, and I'm also getting older."
O'Sullivan isn't the only snooker legend to speak on Lee's possible comeback, with John Higgins previously saying he'd welcome the Wiltshire-born player back 'with open arms'.