Stephen Lee was a top player but "took the wrong path" and "paid the ultimate price", according to Barry Hearn, who has previously spoken about how he'd have punished the former world number five.

Back in October 2012, Lee was suspended from snooker following reports from two bookmakers of illegal betting patterns surrounding a match in the 2012 Premier League, which Lee lost 4-2.

An investigation by the WPBSA would subsequently bring charges relating to seven further matches against Lee, including one at the 2009 World Championship.

Lee, from Wiltshire, was found guilty of influencing the outcome of seven matches in 2008 and 2009, as well as being guilty of 'accepting payment to influence the outcome of a match' for seven other matches.

The tribunal concluded that he was 'working with three different groups, who were betting on multiple platforms and the exact score and frame outcomes for matches he played in those tournaments'.

Stephen Lee received a 12-year ban from the sport. Image credit: Getty

They also concluded that he deliberately lost matches against two opponents at the 2008 Malta Cup, and agreed to lose the first frame in matches against two other opponents at the 2008 UK Championship.

A couple of years after being handed a 12-year suspension for match-fixing and Lee set up an academy in Shenzhen, China.

Upon hearing the news, then-World Snooker chief Barry Hearn made his feelings clear on the situation. "Stephen Lee was a top player, but he took the wrong path and as such he paid the ultimate price," said Hearn, as per BBC Sport.

"The 12-year ban fitted the crime - I would have gone for a life ban, you have to send a message to the broadcasters and sponsors. Integrity is paramount."

"There is no sympathy when you are dealing with the future of the sport," he added, "It's a sad situation for the individual, no-one wants to see anyone suffer, but he brought about it himself, therefore he has to pay the price."

Lee pictured during a match against Ding Junhui in 2011. Image credit: Getty

Ronnie O'Sullivan also opened up on Stephen Lee's 12-year snooker ban

A number of players, past and present, have spoken about Lee's ban, including seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Speaking on the Disruptors podcast in 2021, O'Sullivan related Lee's case to that of more modern bans.

"After the Stephen Lee thing, I think they [World Snooker] sent out a strong message that anyone who does mess about and get caught, basically your career's over.

"Most snooker players love the game and want to win. But unless you know someone's personal circumstances and what their predicament is - and I do know, I know a lot of these players, and they're struggling financially. It's not easy."

He added: "So I never feel like... don't judge unless you've walked in that guy's shoes. I feel a bit sorry for these players, but it is what it is, they sign up to play and they know what they're letting themselves in for."