Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale has insisted he is not racist and deeply regrets his tirade towards Lancashire batsman Ashwell Prince. Gale was banned for the final two matches of the LV= County Championship season - missing the chance to lift the Championship trophy - after reportedly calling South African Prince a 'f***ing Kolpak' during the Roses clash at Old Trafford last month. But it was the England and Wales Cricket Board's investigation into whether there was a racist element to the verbal attack that led to what Gale has described as 'the toughest time' of his career in an interview with the Yorkshire Post. The incident, during which Gale called Ashwell Prince a 'f***ing Kolpak', led to 'the toughest time' in his career . The Yorkshire captain was not originally allowed to celebrate with his team after leading them to the title . Gale's use of the word 'Kolpak' - shorthand 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. Subsequently, Gale has been handed a further two-match ban and ordered to complete an anger management course, but he revealed it was the suggestion he was racist that has hurt him most during the saga. '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,' he told the newspaper. Gale says he regrets the outburst but has been hurt by being branded a racist by the ECB . Gale was eventually allowed to celebrate Yorkshire's win, but is upset at having the moment spoiled . 'I am not a racist, and that tag was what hurt me most throughout the whole process.' He added: '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.' Gale's additional ban will mean he misses the curtain-raiser to the English season when champions Yorkshire take on MCC in Abu Dhabi next spring and he will also be unavailable for the first county championship fixture. The 30-year-old, who has captained Yorkshire since 2009, is now hoping to put the episode behind him. The 30-year-old has captained his county since 2009 and led them to their first Championship in 13 years . '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,' he said. '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.'
Gale missed the end of last season for tirade against Ashwell Prince .
Yorkshire batsman says he regrets the way he reacted that day .
But Gale insists being branded a racist 'hurt me most'
The 30-year-old missed his county's Championship triumph and will not be available for first game of next season .
Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale has insisted he is not racist and deeply regrets his tirade towards Lancashire batsman Ashwell Prince. Gale was banned for the final two matches of the LV= County Championship season - missing the chance to lift the Championship trophy - after reportedly calling South African Prince a 'f***ing Kolpak' during the Roses clash at Old Trafford last month. But it was the England and Wales Cricket Board's investigation into whether there was a racist element to the verbal attack that led to what Gale has described as 'the toughest time' of his career in an interview with the Yorkshire Post. The incident, during which Gale called Ashwell Prince a 'f***ing Kolpak', led to 'the toughest time' in his career . The Yorkshire captain was not originally allowed to celebrate with his team after leading them to the title . Gale's use of the word 'Kolpak' - shorthand 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. Subsequently, Gale has been handed a further two-match ban and ordered to complete an anger management course, but he revealed it was the suggestion he was racist that has hurt him most during the saga. '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,' he told the newspaper. Gale says he regrets the outburst but has been hurt by being branded a racist by the ECB . Gale was eventually allowed to celebrate Yorkshire's win, but is upset at having the moment spoiled . 'I am not a racist, and that tag was what hurt me most throughout the whole process.' He added: '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.' Gale's additional ban will mean he misses the curtain-raiser to the English season when champions Yorkshire take on MCC in Abu Dhabi next spring and he will also be unavailable for the first county championship fixture. The 30-year-old, who has captained Yorkshire since 2009, is now hoping to put the episode behind him. The 30-year-old has captained his county since 2009 and led them to their first Championship in 13 years . '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,' he said. '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.'
not racist and deeply regrets his tirade towards Lancashire batsman Ashwell Prince. Gale was he told the newspaper. Gale says he regrets the outburst but has been hurt by being branded a and that tag was what hurt me most throughout the spring and he will also be unavailable for the him. The 30-year-old has captained his county Championship in 13 years . 'I regret the way in which I reacted that day and I have always prided