Michael Vaughan steps down as commentator after racism charges

• Vaughan said he is stepping down from the English news broadcasting channel.
• He was also mentioned in the racism reports against Rafiq.
• He returned during the Ashes series in Australia.

Michael Vaughan, the former captain of England, resigned from the English news broadcasting channel on Wednesday owing to the “ongoing debate” surrounding the racism investigation in Yorkshire.

Earlier this month, Vaughan and a number of players were charged by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

In a joint letter dated Monday, two groups of British news channel staff voiced their concerns regarding the 47-year-participation old’s in the broadcaster’s cricket coverage.

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Vaughan was referenced in the report compiled by Yorkshire regarding Azeem Rafiq’s charges of racism.

Rafiq stated that in 2009, Vaughan informed him and three other Asian players that there were “too many of you lot, we need to do something about it.”

Former Pakistani bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and English leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who both claimed to have heard the comment, supported Rafiq’s account.

In March, Vaughan returned to the British news agency’s coverage of the Ashes in Australia after being gone during the winter.

Prior to England’s third Test match against New Zealand at Headingley, the first international match to be played there following the controversy, the ECB made its claims public.

Monday, the BBC acknowledged that employees had expressed concerns in an open letter over Vaughan’s readmission.

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“It is always regrettable when commentary on matters off the field takes the focus away from what’s happening on the field. In view of the ongoing dialogue on the subject, I have taken the decision to step back from my work for the BBC for the time being,” Vaughan said in a statement.

“The key driver for this is my concern for the wellbeing of my family members and my wish to protect their family life. Stepping back temporarily is also in the interests of the game and I hope that it will minimize any difficulties for my work colleagues,” he added.