Former snooker world number five Stephen Lee is free to return to Snooker following the conclusion of a 12-year ban.

The Trowbridge-born player suffered a long sentence after he was found guilty of seven charges of match-fixing.

It was revealed that he had purposely lost two matches at the 2008 Malta Cup alongside losing the opening frames against Stephen Hendry and Mark King at the UK Championship in the same year.

Along with other incidents, the 50-year-old had also lost the World Championship match against Welshman Ryan Day deliberately. 

Lee had discussed the possibility of a comeback in 2022 with an interview with The Mirror, but it seems to be in doubt.

“We can only see what happens in a couple of years’ time. I have some exciting things coming up, and I’m also getting older.

“My eyes are getting worse, and I never had good eyes to start with. As you get older, the determination and fire goes.”

Despite his ban now being over, there is still a large hurdle that could prevent him from making a return.

He was left owing governing body WPBSA £125,000 in legal fees and unsuccessful appeals and as of two years ago, not a penny has been repaid.