STEPHEN Lee’s appeal against his suspension from the game has been rejected by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).

Lee was suspended earlier this month after his Premier League match against John Higgins was under investigation over suspicious betting patterns. Lee was already being investigated following match-fixing allegations made back in 2010.

The dismissal of Lee’s appeal almost certainly rules him out of the brand new International Championship ranking event starting on Sunday (October 28). He could also miss December’s UK Championship unless both investigations are concluded before the tournament’s start date on Saturday, December 1.

An official statement from the WPBSA reads: “On 19th October 2012 Stephen Lee appealed against the decision made by the Chairman of the WPBSA to suspend him on 12th October 2012.

“Robert Englehart QC was appointed by Sport Resolutions UK to consider Stephen Lee’s appeal against suspension. On Wednesday 24th October 2012 he decided to dismiss the appeal.

“The suspension will remain in place until either the conclusion of the investigation or any resultant hearings.”