Former England captain and commentator Michael Vaughan has been dropped from BT Sport's Ashes coverage team because of his involvement in the ongoing racism investigation at the Yorkshire Cricket Club.
BT Sport announced on Tuesday, November 30, that it "would not be editorially appropriate" to use Vaughan in its upcoming coverage of the Ashes 2021–22 following allegations of racism made against him by former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq in his harrowing testimony to lawmakers last month.
Notably, Rafiq had claimed that Vaughan had said "there are too many of you lot" following the selection of four players of Asian heritage in Yorkshire playing XI for a county fixture in 2009. However, the former captain has repeatedly denied the claim and apologized for the pain he has caused.
The development comes a few days after the BBC's decision to remove Vaughan from their TV coverage of the Ashes series in Australia. However, Vaughan will still be involved in the upcoming Ashes coverage as a member of the Fox Sports (the Australian host broadcaster) commentary panel.
As reported by ESPNCricinfo, BT Sport said in a statement: “The recent report presented to UK Parliament uncovering institutional racism within cricket and specifically Yorkshire County Cricket Club is extremely disappointing and a concern for all.”
The channel further stated, “Given these recent events and the controversy with the situation we have taken the decision that including Michael Vaughan within our Ashes coverage would not be editorially appropriate or fit with BT Sport’s values.”
Meanwhile, BT Sport has exclusive UK TV rights for the five-match Test series between Australia and England, starting on December 8, Brisbane, but due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions, they had planned to take a feed from the Australian broadcasters.
Well, BT Sport will now be taking a "hybrid" approach to their coverage with Vaughan's on-air stint with Fox Sports to be overlaid with studio analysis for the Ashes series.
The channel signed off by saying, “As a result of Covid and travel restrictions BT Sport had made the decision to take our commentary feed from the Australian host broadcaster. We are still finalizing plans but we are assessing the option of taking a hybrid approach, using Fox commentary where possible with the aim of putting our own commentary team in place if necessary.”
On the other hand, Vaughan announced on Twitter that his arrival in Australia will be delayed by a week due to a positive COVID-19 test, which will potentially affect his chances to commentate on the first two Ashes Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide.
He tweeted, “I've had to delay my flight to Australia until next week because of a positive Covid test, which is frustrating. But at least I'll avoid the rain in Brisbane for a few days! And I'll be no more under cooked than both teams when I get there!!”
(With PTI Inputs)
