ESPN reassigns commentator Robert Lee over 'name coincidence'
8 hours ago
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Confederate General Robert E Lee and ESPN sports commentator Robert LeeImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES & @ROBERTLEEPXP/TWITTER
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ESPN said they had reassigned Mr Lee because he had the same name as the Confederate general Robert E Lee
ESPN has removed a sports commentator from covering an American football game in Charlottesville because he has the same name as Civil War General Robert E Lee.
Robert Lee was scheduled to cover a University of Virginia game in the city for the broadcaster on 2 September.
ESPN said it had moved Mr Lee "simply because of the coincidence of his name".
White nationalists marched through the college during a rally this month.
The rally was organised to protest against the removal of a statue of General Lee, who commanded the pro-slavery Confederate forces during the American Civil War.
It descended into violent street brawls and one woman was killed when a car ploughed through a crowd of counter-protesters.
Angry protest at Charlottesville meeting
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In a statement, ESPN said: "We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name.
"It's a shame that this is even