THE remainder of Trowbridge snooker star Stephen Lee's appeal against his 12-year ban from the sport will be heard on May 12.

The sport's governing body, World Snooker, has released a statement confirming that the process should reach its conclusion next month.

The statement said: "On Thursday 24th April 2014, there was a hearing in the case of Stephen Lee.

"The Chair of the independent Appeals Committee, Nicholas Stewart QC has directed that subject to Stephen Lee complying with certain conditions, the hearing to deal with the remainder of his appeal will be heard on 12th May 2014.''

The 39-year-old lost the first stage of his appeal in February.

He was given the suspension by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) last September after being found guilty of seven charges of match-fixing dating back to 2008 and 2009.

A two-part appeal began with Lee, who denies committing any offence, challenging the use of Adam Lewis QC as chair of the independent disciplinary tribunal that heard the case.

Lewis also represented Leyton Orient, the League One football club owned by World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn, in their attempt to secure a judicial review of West Ham being handed the Olympic Stadium tenancy.

Lee claimed in his appeal that there was a conflict of interest, given Hearn has worked closely with Lewis outside snooker.

However an independent appeals body rejected Lee's argument.

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