Shamed snooker star Stephen Lee’s appeal against his 12-year ban from the sport is unlikely to be heard before the new year.

In September, the former World No 5, from Trowbridge, was found guilty of fixing seven matches between 2008 and 2009. He was given the long ban and a £40,000 fine.

However, Lee, of Birch Gardens, Hilperton, has maintained he is innocent.

Nigel Mawer, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association’s disciplinary committee chairman, said Edwin Glasgow, a QC with Sport Resolutions, was trying to set an appeal date.

He added: “It is a source of great frustration as we are ready to go. This needs to get resolved as soon as possible.”

Lee was the subject of irregular betting from groups connected to former sponsor Paul Jones, a financial advisor, ex-manager Neil Clague and friend Ian McDougall of Sta-verton.

After they won £97,000, £40,000 was paid into the account of Lee’s wife.