Stephen Lee was a professional snooker player from 1992–2014. His highest professional rank was fifth in the world, and his highest professional break was 145.

He has served an incredibly lengthy ban, after being arrested and bailed on suspicion of match-fixing on 11 February 2010. He was subsequently banned from professional snooker until his fiftieth birthday (12th October 2024).

John Higgins was implicated of a similar offence at the time, and served a much smaller six month ban. He has since shown himself to be a true professional, a winner, and a fantastic ambassador for the game.

The intention of this petition is to ask Barry Hearn and world snooker to consider bringing an end to the suspension on Lee and allow him to return to the non-professional or professional game. In doing so, a great talent can be given a chance to redeem himself and add something to the beautiful game he has committed his life to promoting.

With his huge natural talent, phenomenal cue power and potting ability, he can add massive value to the brand of worldwide snooker.

World Snooker should show that forgiveness is possible, and use his reinstatement to enable him to become an ambassador for fair play in our beautiful game.

Come on World Snooker, do the right thing! Bring back Stephen Lee!