Andrew Gale hurt by accusations of racism after row with Ashwell Prince
Tuesday 7 October 2014 12:50, UK
Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale has denied he is a racist and expressed remorse for his tirade towards Lancashire batsman Ashwell Prince.
The 30-year-old received a two-match ban, denying him the chance to lift the County Championship trophy, after he reportedly called Prince a “Kolpak” during last month’s Roses clash at Old Trafford.
Gale admits he has endured the "toughest time" of his career after the England and Wales Cricket Board investigated whether there was a racist element to the verbal attack.
His use of the word 'Kolpak' – a term for a band of overseas players who utilise an obscure employment law to play in England without restriction – was at the root of the charge, but the ECB's case collapsed when Prince insisted he did not consider the comments to be racist.
Gale still received a further two-match ban and was ordered to complete an anger management course, but was most hurt by the suggestions of racism.
He told the Yorkshire Post: "At a time when it should have been one of the happiest times of my career, it's turned out to be the toughest time.
"I am not a racist, and that tag was what hurt me most throughout the whole process."
Family support
"There were times when I didn't want to leave the house after being branded a racist, but my family showed me great support that helped me through."
This additional ban means he misses the curtain-raiser to the English season when the champions take on MCC in Abu Dhabi next spring and Gale must also sit out the first county championship fixture.
As a long-serving member at the county, the skipper admits he should have set a better example to his fellow players.
"I regret the way in which I reacted that day and I have always prided myself on being a role model to my fellow pros and all young cricketers I coach," said Gale, who has been with Yorkshire since 2001.
"I'd like to think that I have always played the game hard but fair, and I always endeavour to play every game to win.
"I am still immensely proud of what we have achieved this season and I hope the whole situation hasn't detracted from Yorkshire's success. Yorkshire were brilliant throughout the whole process, particularly (chief executive) Mark Arthur."
