The captain of the Yorkshire cricket team, Andrew Gale, has been accused of racism - but the target of his abuse, former Proteas captain Ashwell Prince, thinks he is innocent.
Gale is being investigated by the England and Wales Cricket Board for using a K-word during an English county match earlier this month. But in this case the word was Kolpak, which refers to an EU rule that makes it easier for some foreign sportsmen to play in England.
On Wednesday, the cricket board charged Gale under a section of its code of conduct that deals with racism. At issue is whether the term Kolpak could be construed as racist.
Prince was batting for Lancashire in a championship match when Gale tried to squeeze an extra over into the last session of the day's play.
Prince used up precious seconds standing in the middle of the pitch fiddling with his thigh pad. According to the UK press, Prince said to Gale, who had apparently advanced towards the crease: "F*** off back to cover point."
Allegedly Gale retorted: "Well, you can f*** off back to your own country, you Kolpak f***er."
Prince is among several foreigners who play in England under the Kolpak rules.
His version is that Gale spewed abuse as he came towards him in reaction to his time-wasting tactics. He says he did not tell Gale where he should field.
Prince did not reveal what he had really said to Gale and was unsure why the incident had sparked controversy.
"The umpires heard all our exchanges," said Prince. "They felt his comments were inappropriate and therefore reported him to the board. I did not and I don't think I'm even entitled to report him to the board."
Yorkshire is reportedly assembling a high-powered legal team to defend Gale.
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