The five-time ranking event winner and former world No.5 had until 5pm last night to decide whether to keep fighting to clear his name.

Solicitors representing the 38-year-old Lee confirmed he will contest the findings, sanction and costs imposed by an independent tribunal in Bristol last month.

Snooker’s governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, has again turned to Sport Resolutions to appoint a new QC to chair the Appeals Committee.

    

As well as a record ban that effectively ends his career, Lee was also ordered to pay £40,000 costs.

Lee was found guilty of either fixing matches, losing the first frame of matches, or losing by a particular score in seven matches during 2008 and 2009.

The governing body claimed afterwards it was the “worst case of corruption” it had seen.

However Lee claimed he was “devastated” and continues to protest his innocence.

Lee has claimed new lawyers will “start making some big holes” in the case against him.