English snooker star Stephen Lee has reportedly been banned for 12 years for match-fixing after he was found guilty of seven match-fixing charges by an independent tribunal last week.
The former world number five's charges is related to seven matches in 2008 and 2009, including three in the Malta Cup in 2008, two at the UK Championship in the same year, one at the 2009 China Open and one at the 2009 World Championship.
According to Sky News, a statement from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) confirmed Lee's suspension, adding that it is to be calculated from 12 October 2012, when the interim suspension was imposed, which makes it impossible for Lee to participate in snooker before 12 October 2024.
The tribunal also ordered Lee to pay costs of 40,000 pounds.
Stating that the punishment demonstrates their commitment to ensuring that snooker is free from corruption, WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson said that it is an important part of their anti-corruption approach that players found to be involved in fixing matches or any aspect of a match are severely dealt with.
