Stephen Lee 'devastated' at 12-year snooker ban and says he will appeal
• 38-year-old says he is 'totally innocent' of match-fixing charges
• British player given 12-year ban from the sport on Wednesday
Guardian staff and agencies
The Guardian, Wednesday 25 September 2013 13.52 BST
Stephen Lee says he is confident of winning an appeal against his 12-year ban. Photograph: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar
The British snooker player Stephen Lee said he is "absolutely devastated" and "totally innocent" of match-fixing, and confirmed that he plans to appeal against the 12-year ban and £40,000 fine given to him on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old was found guilty of match fixing in relation to seven matches in 2008 and 2009, which included one at the world championship.
When asked if he was confident his appeal would be successful, Lee told reporters outside his home: "Absolutely, I wouldn't be here now if I wasn't. I'm absolutely devastated, I've done nothing wrong. I'm totally innocent from this."
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