Michael Vaughan responds to BBC Ashes snub amid Azeem Rafiq’s racism allegations

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Michael Vaughan has responded to the BBC’s decision to remove it from its Ashes coverage. Former England captain accused of racism by ex-teammate Azeem Rafiq

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Azeem Rafiq testifies on racism in cricket

Michael Vaughan has responded to the BBC’s decision to remove him from its Ashes coverage following Azeem Rafiq’s racism allegations.

The mega broadcaster made the decision earlier today after being kicked from his live show on BBC Radio 5 earlier this month.

Rafiq claimed the former England captain said “there are too many of you, we have to do something”, during a 2009 match between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

Vaughan has denied making the comment on multiple occasions and took to Instagram to express his displeasure at not being able to comment on The Ashes for the BBC.

“Very disappointed not to comment for TMS on the Ashes and working with great colleagues and friends will be missed, but I can’t wait to be behind the microphone at Fox Cricket in Australia.

Michael Vaughan has responded to the BBC’s decision to remove him from his Ashes cover (Photo by Paul Harding / Getty Images for Laureus) (

Picture:

Paul Harding)

“The problems cricket faces are more important than any individual case and I want to be part of the solution, listening, educating myself and helping to make it a more welcoming sport for all.”

Following their latest ruling on Vaughan, the BBC released a statement saying he would also not be involved in his “wider coverage of the sport at the moment”.

“Although he is involved in an important history in cricket, for editorial reasons we don’t think it would be appropriate for Michael Vaughan to have a role on our Ashes team or wider coverage of the sport for the moment, ”he said.

“We ask our contributors to speak on relevant topics and his involvement in Yorkshire history represents a conflict of interest.”

36 people contact Yorkshire whistleblower hotline in first week amid Azeem Rafiq allegations Michael Vaughan was fired by the BBC from covering Ashes amid Azeem Rafiq’s racism allegations

Former Pakistan pitcher Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and England spinner Adil Rashid, who has played for Yorkshire since 2006, also said they heard the comment.

Last week Rafiq attended the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee hearing last week, where he eloquently recalled the heartbreaking experiences of his time playing for Yorkshire Cricket Club.

Elaborating on Vaughan’s allegations, the spinner said: “I think it’s important for Michael [Vaughan] that we don’t do everything about Michael.

“That was a long time ago, Michael might not remember it like I said earlier because it doesn’t mean anything. But three of us do.”

Also at the hearing, Rafiq explained how he got alcohol down his throat in Yorkshire, when he was a practicing Muslim.

Azeem Rafiq says Michael Vaughan said “there are too many of you; we have to do something about it ”, in a 2009 match between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire

Since Rafiq opened up about his experiences, the Yorkshire County Cricket Club has announced that 36 people have already contacted their whistleblower hotline.

Following the scandal, the county set up an independent hotline under the leadership of new president Lord Kamlesh Patel.

A commission to examine racism and other forms of discrimination in cricket was “inundated” with responses two weeks after it officially opened in early November.

After it opened a fortnight ago, commission chair Cindy Butts revealed that the survey received more than 2,000 responses, as people from across the country stepped forward to share their discriminatory experiences in the game.

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