SNOOKER:World number seven Stephen Lee has been suspended by snooker's world governing body, the WPBSA, pending the results of a new investigation into suspicious betting patterns.

Lee, who was last week informed he would not face criminal charges over match-fixing allegations dating back to 2010, lost a Premier League match 4-2 against Scotland’s John Higgins on Thursday night.

A WPBSA statement read: “On 12 October 2012, the WPBSA was informed of suspicious betting patterns relating to a game between Stephen Lee and John Higgins played on 11 October 2012 . . . The WPBSA have concluded that it would not be appropriate for Stephen Lee to continue to compete on the World Snooker Tour whilst these investigations are undertaken.

“Therefore WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson has taken the decision to suspend Stephen from competition whilst this inquiry is ongoing.”