Agnew carpeted by BBC after foul-mouthed rant
JONATHAN AGNEW, the BBC’s voice of cricket, has been strongly reprimanded by the Corporation after an extraordinary expletive-ridden rant on social media.
The Test Match Special commentator took exception to a column by The Independent’s Jonathan Liew and launched a foul-mouthed tirade in a series of direct messages on Twitter.
Agnew called Liew a c*** at least three times in quick succession, adding: ‘ I’m going no further on the advice of people I have heard back from who know you and think you are a c***. I know you are. Think on.
‘C***. You’re so strange I don’t know if you’d be upset to know those who think you are a c***. Or not.’
Agnew, who earns between £180,000 and £189,999 as the BBC’s cricket correspondent, has missed England’s first two one-day games against pakistan owing to a planned holiday.
But in the week former BBC 5Live presenter Danny Baker was sacked by the Beeb for showing a ‘ serious error of judgement’ over a tweet about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby, Agnew has escaped further censure.
Sports Agenda understands BBC bosses took action against Agnew before the direct messages were made public on Saturday, and spoke to the 59-year- old about the ‘ clear standards of behaviour’ they expect. Agnew has also written to Liew to apologise. Editorial guidelines warn journalists to be ‘ mindful that the information you disclose does not bring the BBC into disrepute’ on social media websites.
In December 2018 Agnew told his colleague Gary Lineker to keep his political views to himself, adding: ‘I’d be sacked if I followed your example.’
He has also previously complained about being sent
PROFESSIONAL Cricketers’ Association chief executive David Leatherdale announced he will step down later this year, leaving the organisation rudderless at a time of great change in the domestic game. Players remain concerned about the impact of the Hundred competition and want Leatherdale’s successor to fight their corner in any battles with the ECB. Former chief executive Richard Bevan would be a popular choice, but has been closely linked with the equivalent role at the Professional Footballers’ Association. Former PCA deputy chief Jason Ratcliffe was interviewed for the top job last time around, while Johnny Grave, CEO of Cricket West Indies, has been mentioned. Former England bowler Isa Guha, the first woman to join the PCA board, is another possible contender. ‘vitriol’ on Twitter, adding: ‘What is the point of coming on and making a rude, inflammatory introduction? The answer is, there isn’t, unless you really want to cause trouble.’
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