Stephen Lee's appeal against record 12-year ban for snooker match-fixing begins on Wednesday
The five-time ranking tournament winner was found guilty on seven charges of corruption in September but insists he did not get a fair hearing
Stephen Lee will launch his appeal on Wednesday against a record 12-year ban for match-fixing.
The 39-year-old, a five-time ranking event winner, was found guilty on seven charges from the WPBSA in September.
As well as a career-ending ban, Lee, whose reputation was left in tatters after being branded snooker’s biggest cheat, was also ordered to pay £40,000 costs.
However, armed with new lawyers, Lee will appear at an undisclosed location in London claiming he did not receive a fair trial.
The former world No.5 will allege there was a conflict of interest for tribunal chair Adam Lewis QC, who had done work for World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn.
Lewis represented Leyton Orient, the football club owned by Hearn, over the proposed use of the Olympic Stadium.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association deny there was any conflict, and insist Lee agreed to the choice of Lewis knowing his background – something the player may contest.
If he fails to win a re-trial, he would then contest the conviction, sentence and costs.
Lee, who has always maintained his innocence, was found to have fixed outcomes in seven matches.
