Ronnie O’Sullivan was forced to explain controversial Stephen Lee comments after his 12-year ban.

Ronnie O’Sullivan was forced to explain controversial Stephen Lee comments after his 12-year ban.

 

Veteran snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan found himself in the spotlight yet again, this time over remarks he made in the wake of Stephen Lee’s lengthy ban from the sport. Lee, a former world top-five professional, was handed a 12-year ban in 2013 after being found guilty of fixing seven matches between 2008 and 2009.

Just days after the tribunal verdict, O’Sullivan took to social media and made a series of pointed comments, suggesting that Lee was just one of many players who had “thrown” matches and that he was simply the one who got caught. He tweeted, for example: “I’ve heard there’s many more players who throw snooker matches. I suppose Steve Lee was just caught out.” He added: “No need to worry if you got nothing to hide. But plenty of people have got loads to hide. That’s why there is no free speech. They’re hiding.”

These remarks prompted swift reaction from snooker authorities. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) chairman Barry Hearn said that O’Sullivan’s comments were “unacceptable and extremely damaging” and urged him to either provide evidence and name the players he was referring to or retract the allegations.

In a follow-up statement, O’Sullivan clarified that his remarks had been an emotional, immediate reaction to the Lee decision. He insisted he had no concrete evidence of other players engaging in match-fixing and reiterated his respect for the sport’s integrity. He stated: “I was referring to rumours from many years ago when there were only a few tournaments on the circuit.” He added that if he did become aware of fixing, he recognised his duty to report it.

Context of Stephen Lee’s ban

Stephen Lee’s ban was one of the most significant in snooker history. The tribunal found him guilty of influencing the outcome of seven matches played in 2008-09, including at major tournaments. The 12-year suspension was backdated to October 2012 and ran through to October 2024. In addition to the ban, Lee was ordered to pay significant costs—£40,000 in the original judgment and further costs upon appeal. The governing body described the ban effectively as a “life ban,” given the length and the player’s age.

Why O’Sullivan’s comments sank into controversy

A number of factors made O’Sullivan’s remarks problematic:

By publicly declaring that “many more players” throw matches without naming names, he risked causing reputational damage without backing it with evidence. The WPBSA made clear that unsubstantiated allegations undermine the sport’s integrity.

The timing was sensitive: coming just after the Lee ban, the sport was in a vulnerable position in terms of image and public trust.

O’Sullivan’s stature as one of snooker’s high-profile figures gave his words extra weight—and extra responsibility.

Although he later clarified the remarks were taken out of context and had no proof, once a message is public it cannot easily be undone.

Snooker’s broader integrity challenge

The Lee case remains a benchmark for snooker’s anti-corruption efforts. In Lee’s ruling, the chair of the tribunal noted that Lee was “in a financially perilous state” and had been a “weak man in a vulnerable position … and succumbed to temptation.” While snooker’s governing bodies maintain that the sport is largely clean (for example, the chair in the Lee case suggested only four major investigations in 7,000 matches) the scrutiny remains intense around match-fixing, betting and insider information.

O’Sullivan himself has on other occasions spoken about the threat of match-fixing in snooker: for instance, he claimed he once turned down a £20,000 offer to throw a game, explaining that he “couldn’t live” with doing so. His comments now bring into focus the fine line between raising awareness of issues and airing allegations without substantiation.

What happens now?

Although the original incident and tweets date back to 2013, the story retains relevance because Lee’s ban only recently expired (October 2024) and the sport continues to wrestle with maintaining credibility.

O’Sullivan’s clarification may have softened the immediate blow to his image, but questions linger:

Will any further disclosures about improper conduct in snooker emerge, or is O’Sullivan’s remark simply reflective of rumours?

Can snooker reconcile the need for transparency with the requirement that allegations be handled through proper processes?

How will Lee’s potential (though currently uncertain) return to professional play impact the sport’s public perception?

Conclusion

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s comments regarding Stephen Lee’s ban opened up a broader conversation about transparency, integrity and the standards expected of top players when it comes to commenting publicly on sensitive issues. While O’Sullivan has since walked back his remarks and reaffirmed his support for the sport’s governing bodies, the episode stands as a vivid reminder of how high-profile athletes’ words can amplify—or damage—the reputations of the sports they represent.