Michael Vaughan played for Yorkshire from 1993 to 2009
Former England captain Michael Vaughan is retiring from his job at the BBC amid “ongoing dialogue” over Yorkshire racism research.
On Monday, a joint letter from two groups of BBC staff raised concerns about the 47-year-old’s continued involvement in the station’s cricket coverage.
Vaughan was named in the Yorkshire report on Azeem Rafiq’s racism allegations.
He has denied a complaint that made a racist comment to a group of Asian players.
Vaughan did not take part in the BBC coverage of the Ashes in Australia during the winter, but returned to comments in March.
The news of ECB charges came before England played New Zealand at Headingley in the third round, the first international match held on the ground since the scandal.
On Monday, the BBC said it acknowledged that staff had raised concerns in an open letter challenging Vaughan’s reinstatement into the corporation.
The letter was sent to staff by groups representing black, Asian and ethnic minority colleagues.
“It is always unfortunate that comments on off-field issues disengage the focus of what is happening on the field. In view of the ongoing dialogue on the subject, I have made the decision to withdraw from my work for the BBC for the time being. “Vaughan said in a statement.
“The key factor in this is my concern for the well-being of my family members and my desire to protect their family life. Taking a step back temporarily is also in the interest of the game and I hope it minimizes any difficulties for my family. coworkers. “
In a statement, the BBC said: “After talks with Michael Vaughan, we have accepted his decision to move away from our cricket coverage. This is a decision we respect and understand. Michael is still under contract with the BBC. BBC “.
Last November, Rafiq told MPs about his experiences in Yorkshire and said English cricket was “institutionally” racist.
Since then, 16 staff members have left Yorkshire in a widespread overhaul.
The management of the scandal by the club also led to a series of resignations, with CEO Mark Arthur and President Roger Hutton leaving office, and the ECB removed Headingley from the internationals it was to host; been restored.
Commenting on his charges earlier this month, the ECB said it had conducted a “thorough and complex” investigation. The governing body expects the hearings to take place in September or October and for the outcome of each case to be published once decisions have been made.
He said the charges stemmed from alleged breaches of a directive on “misconduct or that could harm the interests of cricket or that could discredit the ECB, the game of cricket or any cricketer,” and the anti- ECB. discrimination code.
The ECB has not commented on the specific details of the charges.
Rafiq alleged that Vaughan said “many of you, we have to do something about it” to him and three other Asian players during a game with Yorkshire in 2009.
Rafiq’s account was backed by former Pakistani bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and England leg spinner Adil Rashid, who said they had heard the comment.
The group’s fourth player, bowler Ajmal Shahzad, previously told the Daily Mail that he did not remember the event and that “the senior boys were very good to me.”
Vaughan has previously said he did not recall the incident or acknowledge the words he is said to have used.
“I just clearly remember him being proud to have four Asian players representing the Yorkshire County Cricket Club,” he said.
In a BBC interview in November, he said he “regretted all the harm” Rafiq had suffered.
Vaughan was England’s captain in Tests between 2003 and 2008. He played his entire national career in Yorkshire – between 1993 and 2009 – before becoming a summary of the BBC Test Match special.