One of Gayle's former captains said it was not right to defend such behaviour

Chris Gayle fined in Big Bash League reporter 'sexism' row

BBC International News Jan - 05 - 2016 , 10:18

West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle has been fined A$10,000 ($7,200; £4,900) for "inappropriate conduct" after he asked a TV reporter on a date in a live interview.

Gayle was speaking to journalist Mel McLaughlin during a Big Bash League match in Hobart on Monday.

"To see your eyes for the first time is nice. Hopefully we can have a drink afterwards. Don't blush baby," he said.

Gayle has said he is sorry, but that the reaction was "out of proportion".

His team Melbourne Renegades beat the Hobart Hurricanes by five wickets in Monday's T20 game.

Gayle, who had scored 41 in just 15 balls, was answering questions from Network Ten's McLaughlin about his big-hitting style when he made the remark, which was widely condemned as sexist.

The former West Indies Test captain told reporters on Tuesday: "There wasn't anything meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel. If she felt that way, I'm really sorry for that.

"It was a simple joke. The game was going on. Entertainment, things get out of proportion but these things happen."

McLaughlin has said his date request was "a little bit disappointing because I'm not used to seeing that".

"I don't really want to be the subject of such conversations," she told her network.

'Out of line'

The Melbourne Renegades said his comments were "completely inappropriate and disrespectful" and apologised to McLaughlin and to the public.

"Mel is an outstanding sports presenter," said Renegades chief executive Stuart Coventry. "We think of her very highly and the club and players will ensure we work with her in a professional and respectful manner in future."

One of Gayle's former captains said it was not right to defend such behaviour

"We've had several discussions with Chris over the past day and he has acknowledged that his comments were out of line," he said.

The A$10,000 fine will be donated to the McGrath Foundation, a breast cancer charity.

Network Ten Head of Sport David Barham said Gayle would no longer wear an on-field microphone or helmet-cam during live broadcasts.

'Not a nightclub'

Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said Gayle's comments could be equated with workplace harassment.

"It's not a nightclub, and I think one of the things that perhaps hasn't dawned on everyone is it's actually a workplace," he said.

"Anyone that sees the humour in that is misunderstanding and somewhat delusional about the situation."

Fox Sports reporter Neroli Meadows told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that Gayle had said similar things to her and several other female reporters.

"He does this constantly... He has creepy behaviour and the way he did it to Mel was just that, and Mel knew it was going to happen," she said.

Meanwhile, Chris Rogers, Gayle's former captain at Sydney Thunder, said it was part of "a pattern of behaviour".

"If you know the guy, you see it over and over," said Rogers.

"It's not just him, there's a lot of this stuff in the sporting industry and to defend it is not right at all."