Snooker: Stephen Lee has ban appeal turned down

(Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Stephen Lee's appeal against the suspension he is currently serving has been dismissed by the sport's governing body.

Lee last week challenged the ban imposed on him by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association while it investigates suspicious betting patterns in his Premier League match with John Higgins on 11 October.

The 38-year-old, who was suspended 12 days ago, appealed for the ban to be lifted, but the association stated: "The suspension will remain in place until either the conclusion of the investigation or any resultant hearings."