The Ashes: BBC drops Vaughan- What comes as a setback for former England captain Michael Vaughan, BBC has decided to part ways with him for The Ashes. The development comes days after he was named in a racism controversy involving former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq. Follow The Ashes updates on InsideSport
“While he is involved in a significant story in cricket, for editorial reasons we do not believe that it would be appropriate for Vaughan to have a role in our Ashes team or wider coverage of the sport at the moment,” the BBC said in a statement.
The Ashes: BBC drop former England captain Michael Vaughan from Ashes coverage amid racism allegations
Rafiq alleged that Vaughan told him and two other players of Asian origin that there were “too many of you lot, we need to do something about it” before a match in 2009. Vaughan has strongly denied the accusation.
“We require our contributors to talk about relevant topics and his involvement in the Yorkshire story represents a conflict of interest.”
Vaughan’s management company did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment from Reuters.
Vaughan, who has been an analyst with the BBC since 2009, was dropped from a radio show by the broadcaster earlier this month after the allegations came to light.
The five-test Ashes series between England and hosts Australia begins in Brisbane on Dec. 8.
The Ashes: BBC drop former England captain Michael Vaughan from Ashes coverage amid racism allegations
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