Andrew Gale charged with using racist and abusive language

Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale has become the first county cricketer to be accused of a racism offence after he was charged on Wednesday by the England & Wales Cricket Board.

Telegraph Sport can reveal Gale has been charged with using racist and abusive language to Lancashire’s South African batsman Ashwell Prince on the third evening of the Roses match on Sept 3.

Yorkshire are standing by their captain and will fight this charge. Gale’s furious county believe he has been unfairly charged and are in the process of engaging a high powered law firm to defend him. A date for the hearing has not been set but is expected to take place next week with Gale facing either a level three or level four charge under the ECB’s code of conduct.

Gale and Prince are understood to have exchanged insults in the final moments of the third day of the match at Old Trafford as Yorkshire pushed for a crucial victory in the championship race. Gale is adamant there was no racial aspect to the exchange.

Gale moved himself in the field in an attempt to squeeze in one further over. He moved closer to Prince who is alleged to have told him to “f*** off back to cover point.” Gale responded by saying “Well you can f*** off back to your own country you Kolpak f*****.”

He has been found guilty so Yorkshire is complicit for standing by him.


Disgraceful and Gale should face a substantial and hearty fine plus a ban from all cricket for a month of next season.

[quote author=Mail link=topic=92755.msg588714#msg588714 date=1410978277]
He has been found guilty so Yorkshire is complicit for standing by him.


Disgraceful and Gale should face a substantial and hearty fine plus a ban from all cricket for a month of next season.
[/quote]

I totally agree. This is completely unacceptable behaviour and language. Yorkshire ought to be appalled by defending Gale.

The ESPNCricinfo article claims that "Yorkshire will contend that there is no country, nor racial origin for Kolpaks - it is simply a descriptive term for those from many countries who are playing in county cricket because of reciprocal EU trade agreements."

I don't give a crap if it's "racist" in such a narrow definition or not - such technicalities are pointless. It's incredibly discriminatory. And at the very least Xenophobic. And shame on Yorks for defending this twat.

once gayle used the words go back to your own country tells me that gayle is showing intolerance, Prince is a professional cricketer gayle should understand that

[quote author=yahoo link=topic=92755.msg589030#msg589030 date=1411078112]
once gayle used the words go back to your own country tells me that gayle is showing intolerance, Prince is a professional cricketer gayle should understand that
[/quote]
*Gale
But yeah. Sledging or banter within certain boundaries is fine between opponents. But this sort of thing is disgraceful.

Kylester,


Even banter can cross the line but u agree in principle of what you say, my thoughts as well.

In an interview with a South African radio station, Prince told a South African radio station that he did not consider Gale's tirade to be a racial slur.

Quote:I took offence at the way he spoke to me. To be quite honest, I didn't stand there and think that might be a racial slur," he said. "The guy walked towards me and had a go and I defended myself. The ECB feel it has racial connotations and it's up to them to do whatever they want to do.

Gale's hearing is now likely to take place in early October rather than next week due to a clash with the final week of the Championship which would have impacted the availability of key witnesses. Prince will therefore be available for Lancashire's final match of the Championship season in which they face a relegation-decider against Middlesex.

Prince takes the high road

[quote author=Mail link=topic=92755.msg589089#msg589089 date=1411098229]
Kylester,


Even banter can cross the line but u agree in principle of what you say, my thoughts as well.
[/quote]
Oh by the "line" I meant targetting someone's race, ethnicity, nationality - that sort of thing. Discriminatory remarks, basically. I'm flexible WRT sledging otherwise.

[quote author=dillinger10 link=topic=92755.msg589214#msg589214 date=1411149523]
In an interview with a South African radio station, Prince told a South African radio station that he did not consider Gale's tirade to be a racial slur.

Gale's hearing is now likely to take place in early October rather than next week due to a clash with the final week of the Championship which would have impacted the availability of key witnesses. Prince will therefore be available for Lancashire's final match of the Championship season in which they face a relegation-decider against Middlesex.

Prince takes the high road
[/quote]

Good on him, but it doesn't really matter though. Gotta nip such crap in the bud. Players should know better. So good on ECB, not sweeping it under the rug.