American sports television network ESPN have been criticised after they elected to remove Asian-American presenter Robert Lee from a University of Virginia football match because his name if the same as the Confederate general Robert E Lee.

The recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, which left one person dead, surrounds the removal of Confederate statues across the southern United States and protests by white nationalists, neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

Heather Heyer, 32, was killed when a car was driven into a group of people protesting against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, and the statue of General Robert E Lee will be covered in black fabric to mourn her death.

Hundreds gather for Charlottesville vigil

However, the decision by ESPN to remove Lee, who was slated to cover UVA’s home match against William and Mary on 2 September in Charlottesville, will not cover Youngstown State at Pittsburgh.

Robert Lee (right) will no longer present coverage of the game in Charlottesville (Twitter)

The presenter was removed because he shares a name with former Confederate general Robert E Lee (Getty)

“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,” an ESPN statement read.

“It's a shame that this is even a topic of conversation and we regret that who calls play by play for a football game has become an issue.”

Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Show all 9 1 /9 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Protesters clash and several are injured White nationalist demonstrators clash with counter demonstrators at the entrance to Lee Park in Charlottesville, Virginia. A state of emergency is declared, August 12 2017 Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Trump supporters at the protest A white nationalist demonstrator walks into Lee Park in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017. Hundreds of people chanted, threw punches, hurled water bottles and unleashed chemical sprays on each other Saturday after violence erupted at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville State police stand ready in riot gear Virginia State Police cordon off an area around the site where a car ran into a group of protesters after a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Militia armed with assault rifles White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' with body armor and combat weapons evacuate comrades who were pepper sprayed after the 'Unite the Right' rally was declared a unlawful gathering by Virginia State Police. Militia members marched through the city earlier in the day, armed with assault rifles. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee The statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee stands behind a crowd of hundreds of white nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' during the 'Unite the Right' rally 12 August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They are protesting the removal of the statue from Emancipation Park in the city. Getty Images Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Racial tensions sparked the violence White nationalists, neo-Nazis and members of the 'alt-right' exchange insults with counter-protesters as they attempt to guard the entrance to Lee Park during the 'Unite the Right' rally Getty Violence on the streets of Charlottesville A car plows through protesters A vehicle drives into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The incident resulted in multiple injuries, some life-threatening, and one death. AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville Rescue personnel help injured people after a car ran into a large group of protesters after an white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia AP Photo Violence on the streets of Charlottesville President Donald Trump speaks about the ongoing situation in Charlottesville, Virginia from his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. He spoke about "loyalty" and "healing wounds" left by decades of racism.

Lee, who has been a sports commentator since 1999, did not respond to requests for comment.

The decision has been roundly criticised by social media users, who believe that the removal of Lee is at best unnecessary and at worst a ridiculous decision that, given his background, could be seen as racially motivated.

“Hey @ESPN: Nice try, but the memes aren't mocking Robert Lee or his name. They're mocking YOUR stupidity and cowardice,” Twitter user @lizbuddie wrote.

@charliekirk11 added: “So @espn pulled an announcer off coverage because his name was Robert Lee. Robert Lee is an Asian American with no ties to the confederacy.”

@muchmoresalt added: “Li/Lee/Ly is 2nd most common Asian surname. 100 mill people all over the world have it. @ESPN is crazy racist to pull Asian-Am Robert Lee.”