[GiRTh]

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

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

Gayle was speaking to journalist Mel McLaughlin during a Big Bash League T20 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".

Apparently making light of the episode, the cricketer later tweeted a photo of an empty bed, saying he was tired.

He then said his teammate Dwayne Bravo was buying him a meal because his "pockets were empty".

Gayle was answering questions from Network Ten's McLaughlin after a match 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.

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.

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.

Chris Rogers, Gayle's former captain at Sydney Thunder, accused him of being a bad influence on younger players.

"This is 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."
'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."

"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

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[Ninastar]

fined for asking a girl on a date? seriously?

[GiRTh]

Youtube video

Heres the interview. Do you think Chris Gayle over stepped the mark?

[Ninastar]

He probably shouldn't have done it, but to fine someone is a little ridiculous. Maybe shes a really angry lesbian who hates men. In which case, send her my way

[Crimson Dynamo]

he is a sexist pig and i would imagine she would not go near a prick like him in a month of sundays

[Headie]

Bye he didn't do anything wrong, that's just the humour you'd mostly see in Afro-Caribbean countries so I don't see the problem It's not malicious or anything.

[smudgie]

Another step in the direction of making a cold sterile world.
A bit of banter from a young fella flirting with a young lady, nothing inappropriate was said, she should have took it as a compliment and got on with her job.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Hayden

Bye he didn't do anything wrong, that's just the humour you'd mostly see in Afro-Caribbean countries so I don't see the problem It's not malicious or anything.

yes its a sexist vile afro-caribbean Stoneage culture that we grew out of in 1971

either grow up you cricket twat or take your fine

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

yes its a sexist vile afro-caribbean Stoneage culture that we grew out of in 1971

either grow up you cricket twat or take your fine

What are you talking about? He's accepted the fine and apologized. I'm asking what do the forum think.

Cricketer Chris Gayle apologises for asking out TV reporter

[GiRTh]

On this issue I am extremely torn. I thik his comments were inappropriate but and its huge but, I can post a very flirty interview between Miranda Kerr and Bruno Mars, I can show you numerous flirty interviews conducted by Susanna Reid. Miss Reid is starting to get a reputation for these interviews and even though she gets alot of grief on twitter to the best of my knowledge she has never been fined.

I have huge issues with the fact he was fined for what he said. I think its OK for him to be called a 'Chop' by Andrew Flintoff on twitter for his comments but lets leave it there. I think its totally wrong he was fined for this.