Stephen Lee's appeal against 12-year ban to begin in January

Snooker player Stephen Lee will reportedly begin his appeal against a 12-year ban for match-fixing in January.

The 38-year-old was issued with the lengthy ban after he was found guilty of seven charges of match-fixing by a tribunal in September.

According to BBC Sport, Lee is expected to claim that tribunal chairman Adam Lewis QC was not independent in the judgement as he previously worked for Leyton Orient Football Club, whose chairman is World Snooker chief Barry Hearn.

The first stage of Lee's appeal will begin on January 30.