Chris Gayle has described his controversial sideline interview with female reporter Mel McLaughlin as a “simple joke” with no offence or disrespect intended.
The West Indian cricket star has been widely slammed for chauvinist behaviour after attempting to flirt with McLaughlin live on air on Monday night during the Melbourne Renegades’ win over the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.
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“There wasn’t anything meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel. If she felt that way, I’m really sorry for that,” Gayle told reporters on Tuesday in Melbourne.
“There wasn’t any harm meant in that particular way, to harm any particular person in any particular way like that.
“It was a simple joke – the game was going on.
“Things get out of proportion but these things happen.”
McLaughlin was left visibly disturbed during the interview after Gayle appeared to proposition her.
“Hopefully we can win this game and you and I can have a drink after,” Gayle told the reporter who seemed dumbfounded at the statement.
The laughing batsman said his dismissal allowed him to “come to this interview to see you”.
“That’s the reason why I’m here, just to see your eyes for the first time,” he said.
“Hopefully we can win this game and have a drink after. Don’t blush baby.”
Social media immediately lit up, labelling Gayle’s comments as sexist and an affront to women.
It sparked an apology three overs later from the broadcaster who said Gayle’s comments were not endorsed and that measures would be taken to avoid future such occurrences.
Jamie
Guest
Yeah, sorry, forgot that it was a job interview. Chris Gayle must be kicking himself that he messed up his job interview. Nothing he said could be defined as sexual, let alone sexual harassment.
AlanKC
Guest
And I'm sick of the continued misuse and abuse of the English language - It's baying FFS you silly man.
SM
Guest
And of course, she speaks for all women.
davros
Guest
U lost me on the relevance of a job interview as an analogy ? People get it on at work all the time .
davros
Guest
well im thinking maybe that's why she was so inept at putting him in his place ? Im thinking maybe she did want to meet up with him for a drink ? I would be the last bloke to profess I know whats running thru a womans mind ?
davros
Guest
I couldn't care less...im so sick of the double standard and the beying pack of the sisterhood ! Check out hockeyroo ...georgie Parker and what she had to say ...
Jwedlake
Guest
With stupid comments like that, no wonder you call yourself "squirrel " because you are all nuts and no balls.
Squirrel
Guest
She probably gave him one
anon
Guest
You can't compare working in a corporate environment to being a T20 cricketer or sideline reporter. He's finally had a good innings, he just smacked 41 off 15 and had the crowd on their feet, he's an uneducated millionaire sportsman, he probably hits on women routinely and most respond positively to him. He tried his luck and went too far complimenting a woman's eyes, asking her for a drink and calling her "baby". Lesson learned. He'll never do that again in Australia. Dustin Martin threatening to kill a woman got less press coverage than a cricketer being awkwardly flirtatious. Is it because he's black that people are so outraged? And now Cricket Australia are saying a CA employee has no right to treat another CA employee be treated like that in the workplace. Fair enough. But the next time a CA employee gives another CA employee or a BCCI employee a gobful on the cricket field I expect Cricket Australia's punishment to be proportionate with how they punish Gayle.
sbs2
Guest
Im offended that your not offended davros.
Roy
Guest
I like this
Brett McKay
Expert
If you think that kind of behaviour is OK, Davros, try out the "Don’t blush baby" line in a job interview and see how you go...
Rob JM
Guest
A simple joke would involve playing the song "shut down" by skepta next time Chris "Fail" walks in to bat.
davros
Guest
Sounds to me Brett that your absolutely determined to be offended ...on her behalf !
Brett McKay
Expert
“There wasn’t anything meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel. If she felt that way, I’m really sorry for that." There it is, the token "I'm sorry if anyone was offended" line...