Troubled snooker player Stephen Lee is working on an appeal case after being found guilty of match-fixing.

The 38-year-old former World No 5 was banned from the sport for 12 years and fined £40,000 following an independent inquiry, which concluded he rigged seven matches in 2008 and 2009.

Lee, of Birch Gardens, Hilperton, had been expected to release a statement and do a national newspaper interview “to paint the full picture”, last Friday, but that has yet to materialise.

He said: “I’m still going to be doing the statement, but it’s with my lawyers and the main story has been held.”

Lee has yet to lodge an appeal but is working on a submission with his legal team.

The inquiry, by Adam Lewis QC, found Lee was the subject of irregular betting from groups connected to former sponsor Paul Jones, a financial advisor for Prosp- erity, former manager Neil Clague and friend Ian McDougall, of Stav-erton. They won £97,000, with £40,000 paid into the account of Lee’s wife, Laura.