Match-fixing Allegations and Suspension
Lee was arrested and bailed on suspicion of cheating, on 11 February 2010, following a police investigation into suspicious betting patterns relating to a match played in 2009, believed to have taken place at the UK championship. On 2 October 2012, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) released a statement confirming that the Crown Prosecution Service would not be taking further action against over the claims. A week later, on October 11, Lee was involved in another controversial match which resulted in a 2–4 defeat by John Higgins at a Premier League fixture, having previously led 2–1, which caused fellow professional Judd Trump to question the integrity of the result on Twitter. The following day—on his 38th birthday—Lee was suspended by the WPBSA following reports by at least two bookmakers of irregular betting patterns connected to the Premier League match, pending a full inquiry. Higgins—himself banned for six months in 2010 following match-fixing allegations—is not under suspicion at this time.
On 19 October 2012, Lee appealed against the decision made by the Chairman of the WPBSA. Robert Englehart QC was appointed by Sport Resolutions UK to consider Lee's appeal against suspension. Five days later he decided to dismiss the appeal. The suspension will remain in place until either the conclusion of the investigation or any resultant hearings.
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