Michael Vaughan dropped from the sports channel for Ashes coverage after being Covid positive
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has been dropped from a sports channel for Ashes coverage, starting from December 8 following the allegations that he made racist comments during his stint at Yorkshire County Club in 2009.
Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has been dropped from a sports channel named BT Sports on which he was set to cover the Ashes series, starting from December 8 following the allegations that he made racist comments during his stint at Yorkshire County Club in 2009.
The news went air a few days after the BBC’s decision to remove him from their TV coverage for the series.
Azeem Rafiq, the former Yorkshire cricketer had stated that Vaughan had passed racist comments “there are too many of you lot” following the selection of four Asian players in a county fixture in 2009.
Vaughan denied the allegations made by Rafiq and he also apologized for the pain caused to Rafiq during his time as a player for Yorkshire.
Vaughan announced on Wednesday that he has been tested positive for Covid-19 will still be part of the Ashes coverage for Fox Sports, the Australian host broadcaster.
“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 said in a statement as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
“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,”
it added.
BT Sport said that it will be taking a “hybrid” approach to their coverage, with Vaughan’s on-air stints to be overlaid with studio analysis.
“As a result of Covid and travel restrictions BT Sport had made the decision to take our commentary feed from the Australian host broadcaster,”
the channel said.
“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 commentary team in place if necessary,”
it added.
Meanwhile, the 47-year-old announced on Twitter that his arrival in Australia will be delayed by a week following a Covid positive test.
“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 undercooked than both teams when I get there!”
he tweeted.
