February 15, 2013

Suspended snooker ace Stephen Lee to face governing body hearing over match-fixing allegations

Snooker star Stephen Lee is battling to save his career after the sport’s rulers insisted he has “a case to answer” over match fixing.



In an announcement that rocked the sport Lee – who has been suspended since October 12 – now faces a hearing to determine his fate.

The 38-year-old cueman from Trowbridge started this season ranked eighth in the world.

He is accused of breaching the rules of the governing body, the WPBSA, in matches at four tournaments, including the 2009 World Championship, the pinnacle of the sport.

And they have decided to take their current course of action after examining “a large amount of material”.

Lee appealed his present suspension but that was thrown out on October 24.

The WPBSA said: “We have gathered a large amount of material from the Gambling Commission, West Midlands Police and third parties in relation to the allegations.

“The available evidence has now been considered and the chairman of the committee has decided that there is a case for Stephen Lee to answer.

“These alleged breaches relate to four matches at the Malta Cup 2008, two matches at the UK Championship 2008, one match at the China Open 2009 and one match at the World
Championship 2009.

“The investigation into the suspicious betting in relation to Stephen Lee’s Premier League match with John Higgins on October 11, 2012.”

Meanwhile, Graeme Dott crashed to the worst defeat of his career at the BetVictor Welsh Open in Newport.

The Larkhall ace was upset 4-1 by unranked qualifier Pankaj Advani in their last-16 clash.

But fellow Scot Stephen Maguire dug deep to topple Matthew Stevens 4-2.

Next up for the former UK champion is a quarter-final clash with either Alan McManus or Joe Perry.

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