At the time, this was the harshest punishment imposed within the sport, till the lifetime bans given to Liang Wenbo and Li Hang in 2023 (for match-fixing and different costs). Lee, who was 38 when he took this large blow, was additionally ordered to pay £40,000 in prices, which finally went as much as greater than £100,000.
It was a tragic finish to an expert profession which had reached spectacular heights. An impulsive potter who might make the white ball dance to his tune, because of an aesthetic ‘Rolls Royce’ cue motion, Lee received 5 rating titles, the final of which got here on the 2012 Players Tour Championship Finals.
Rising star
Early indicators of his distinctive expertise was seen within the 1999 Millennium Cup held in Hong Kong, when Lee whipped world-beaters Marco Fu (5-0), Stephen Hendry (6-1) and Ronnie O’Sullivan (7-2) en route the title.
Lee reached his career-best world rating of 5 within the 2000-01 and 2003-04 seasons earlier than struggling a dip in type between 2008 and 2010. Lee had simply begun to regain his contact when the ban hit him onerous.
Adam Lewis, the chairman of an impartial tribunal which heard the case, famous that “as a weak man in a weak place, Lee succumbed to temptation. I contemplate it unlikely that he was the prime mover or instigator of the exercise. It appears to me doubtless that benefit was taken of him.”
The rap sheet contained seven fastened outcomes, together with a primary spherical loss to Ryan Day on the 2009 World championship. Lee, in the meantime, maintained his innocence.
Forgetting the previous
Now 50, the person from Trowbridge is in Bengaluru, competing within the Cue Sports Premier League. The soft-spoken Lee is just not shy to talk about his previous. He vehemently denied the costs, pointing to the police investigation into match-fixing claims towards him in 2010. These costs had been subsequently dropped in 2012. “The police had regarded into it for 2 years, and there was no cash concerned with their allegations,” Lee stated.
“If I had performed flawed and so they discovered cash in every single place, then sure, I’m responsible. But there was no cash. I misplaced my home, I misplaced my automotive. If I used to be match-fixing, I wouldn’t have misplaced my home, I wouldn’t have misplaced my automotive. I’ve seen the betting patterns however there was no cash coming anyplace close to me,” he added.
Moving on: During his lowest moments, Lee discovered assist from his spouse Laura, and he summoned the energy to reside on and battle primarily due to his kids | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J
During this tumultuous interval, Lee relied on his spouse, Laura, for assist. “My spouse stood by me. I checked out my children’ faces and realised that there’s extra to life. That is what spurred me on to return out and battle for everybody concerned,” he stated.
Lee alleged that an English nationwide each day “advised lies” about his case. He added that there was a plan to inform his model of the story in a guide. “I’m going to have my say. I by no means had my say on the way it made me really feel, and what that they had really performed to me as an individual. At that point, I didn’t communicate out as a result of my spouse didn’t need me to,” he revealed.
No second wind
Lee’s ban, by the way, ended a 12 months in the past. There had been rumours that he might make a comeback to the skilled tour, however he has no intentions to return to the grind.
“I performed a match towards James Wattana in Thailand a few months again and it went viral. I really feel very humble about that,” Lee stated. “I misplaced my spouse two years in the past. She by no means wished me to return and play skilled snooker. I’ve acquired zero curiosity within the World Snooker Tour. I’m going to do different issues.”
“I’m nonetheless capable of take pleasure in taking part in snooker at a sure degree. But I’m not foolish sufficient to suppose I’m going again after 12 years. Twelve years is just too lengthy. I’m not ready to waste any time battling it out in Q School (qualification tournaments). And working once more for WPBSA doesn’t attraction to me one bit. WPBSA by no means did something for me as an affiliation. They don’t assist gamers.”
Second innings: Lee, who now lives in Thailand, is keen to assist the following technology and provides again to the game | Photo Credit: AP
Lee is concentrated on his life in Thailand, the place he coaches younger expertise. “I’m going to be serving to the Thailand lads. I’m going to assist the Chinese once I get my probability there. I’m glad to assist any participant who needs some expertise, who needs to know the way to strike the ball, and what it takes to be an expert. It could be good to provide again to the game.”
Lee defined that he not too long ago obtained an invitation to tackle O’Sullivan in an exhibition match, a suggestion he politely declined. “I advised the promoter that I couldn’t beat Ronnie even in my heyday. And there’s no probability I’m flying all the way in which out from Thailand.”
Good tidings
Speaking about his time within the CSPL, Lee acknowledged that he readily accepted the invite from his good good friend, multiple-time world champion Pankaj Advani. “Pankaj is a very nice man. He is a superb ambassador for Indian snooker and billiards. There is numerous love between me and him. In truth, everybody right here has made me really feel very welcome. I’m going to depart Bengaluru with some good associates,” Lee gushed.
There was a shy smile when the Englishman was requested about his ‘Rolls Royce’ cue motion. “That’s very good of you to say. I really feel very humbled by that,” he stated. The energy and precision of a clear strike comes on account of years of onerous work.
“You have to put in numerous hours to grasp the cue motion. It’s all about placing it with ease, not energy. You should keep relaxed and strike by means of the ball as straightforward as you’ll be able to. Of course, everybody’s cue motion is private to them. There’s not one cue motion that works for all. Numerous gamers ask me for cue motion suggestions, which feels very good,” he added.
Lee is a content material man on this section of his life, and speaks extremely of his 4 kids. “My son Alfie is with me. He’s going into Chinese pool. He has additionally been taking part in some snooker in Bangkok. I’ve signed just a few offers to do just a few issues in China. I’ve acquired a few my very own little companies. Things have modified. Yeah, I’m all good,” Lee signed off.
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