Lee to appeal his record 12-year ban

Stephen Lee is to appeal his 12-year ban from snooker and the findings of a tribunal into match-fixing, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) have announced.

Former world No 5 Lee has insisted on his innocence throughout the investigation into claims surrounding seven matches in 2008 and 2009.

The Englishman was found guilty of fixing offences at an independent hearing arranged by Sport Resolutions UK and served with his ban on September 25.

He was also ordered to pay £40,000 in costs.

At the time of imposing the longest ban in snooker history, the WPBSA said Lee was effectively facing the end of his career. After being handed the punishment, Lee said: “It’s over, isn’t it? My career’s over.”

However, he also indicated he would look to appeal.