John Higgins has already explained how he feels about Stephen Lee returning as 12-year ban ends

John Higgins has already given his thoughts on whether Stephen Lee would be welcomed back to snooker should he decide to do so after serving a 12-year ban.

Lee, who was found guilty of seven charges of match-fixing in 2012, is free to make a return to competitive snooker after serving his lengthy suspension.

If the Wiltshire-born player does decide to make a comeback, then he would have to go through Q-School to earn his tour card as any ranking points earned prior to his ban have been wiped.

Lee also owes the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association [WPBSA] a sum of £125,000 in legal fees related to the court cases and unsuccessful appeals from a decade ago, according to SnookerHQ.

Earlier this year, Lee appeared to rule out a playing comeback to the sport, telling a fan on Facebook: "Not a chance of it my friend. I struggle to break off nowadays. It's down to my son [who plays amateur snooker] now..."

Based on those comments, it is unlikely the 50-year-old will make a comeback to snooker but back in 2022, four-time world champion John Higgins welcomed a potential return.

"If he serves his ban and decides to come back we will welcome him back with open arms," Higgins told BBC Sport. "What a player he was. I'd have no problem, none at all."

A week before Higgins' comments, former World No. 5 Lee was on the fence regarding a comeback. “I must get asked this weekly, daily, minutely,” he said, as quoted by The Mirror.

“I would like to say no, but I am still capable of playing. Let’s see what happens in two years. It’s not a no, and not a yes. We can only just see what happens in a couple of years’ time. I have some exciting things coming up, and I’m also getting older."

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

Image credit: Getty

Back in 2012, Lee was banned from competing in, or even attending, any WPBSA-affiliated tournament for 12 years after being found guilty of influencing the outcome of seven matches in 2008 and 2009.