'To allow him is totally inexcusable’ - BBC diversity group irked over Michael Vaughan commentating amid racism row

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan was named in the 2009 Yorkshire racism scandal by former player Azeem Rafiq two years ago. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is currently investigating the matter and has recently charged Vaughan for his involvement in the scandal.

Meanwhile, Vaughan was spotted doing commentary for BBC Radio 5 during the third Test between England and New Zealand on day five at Headingley, which has enraged the in-house diversity group at BBC, who have sent an email to all the staff against the decision to employ the player involved in the racism scandal.

The 47-year-old batter played for Yorkshire for 16 years and was banned by BBC last year for his alleged involvement in the 2009 racism scandal. The player has repeatedly denied the charges despite being investigated by ECB. A diversity group, consisting of a Black, Asian, and a minority ethnic group, has felt that the decision to allow Vaughan to commentate was “totally inexcusable”.

“With Michael Vaughan implicated in this scandal and now understood to be charged by the ECB, it feels totally inexcusable that he should continue to appear as a representative of BBC Sport. The depth of feeling and outpouring of emotion towards this decision is excruciating, overwhelming, and unbearable. Colleagues from all backgrounds from across the BBC have been in touch to share their disbelief and dismay, with some moved to tears because of the apparent lack of empathy, understanding, and leadership over this,” BBC Diversity group wrote, according to The Guardian.

This really is a shocking miscalculation: BBC diversity group

Rafiq rocked English cricket by revealing the racism scandal at Yorkshire club. He named Vaughan and a few other key figures and accused them of being involved in racial harassment and bullying. ECB then launched an investigation into the matter and banned Yorkshire from hosting any international matches.

The board also forced the team to make managerial and staff changes and now investing in the players involved. The diversity group submitted that they are “tired” of having this discussion over and over again and reckoned that this issue needs to be acknowledged.

“This really is a shocking miscalculation. We are exhausted. We are tired. We are fed up of having the same discussions and reliving the same trauma. The small steps forward we make to try and build greater inclusivity and understanding are totally undone by decisions like this and that really needs to be acknowledged,” they concluded.