YORKSHIRE captain Andrew Gale has been charged with a racism offence by the ECB, it has been reported.

It has been long since known that Gale had a run-in with Lancashire batsman Ashwell Prince during the third day of the Roses clash at Emirates Old Trafford earlier this month.

The ECB then prevented the left-handed batsman from lifting the County Championship trophy at Trent Bridge on Friday before releasing a statement saying the incident was still under investigation.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper last night reported that a charge of using racist and abusive language has been levelled at the 30-year-old and that a hearing is expected next week.

Gale was annoyed at Prince, a black South African, for time wasting in his attempt to minimise the number of overs Lancashire would face before close.

It has been reported that Prince swore at Gale, telling him to go back to cover point. Gale is then alleged to have sworn back before making reference to Prince being a Kolpak player who should go back to his own country.

Kolpak players are non English-born players allowed to play as domestic qualified in county cricket under EU law.