West Indian cricketer and prized Melbourne Renegades recruit Chris Gayle has issued an apology – albeit a thin one – for his conduct during a live TV interview with Mel McLaughlin during last night’s Big Bash League game in Hobart between the Renegades and the Hobart Hurricanes.
“(It was) a simple joke that went out of proportion… There wasn’t anything meant to be disrespectful of offensive to Mel. If she felt that way, then I am sorry.”“These things will happen. There wasn’t any harm done… Everybody thought it was a joke.”“Just one of those things. Crap happen.”
Gayle’s statement ended abruptly when a female reporter then asked him to respond to reports that McLaughlin had told Channel Ten management that the exchange had made her feel uncomfortable and upset, to which Gayle responded “did she tell you that?” before ending the questioning and walking away.
“On behalf of the franchise, we want to apologise to Mel, and hope that she didn’t feel uncomfortable in a professional environment. She’s a wonderful presenter, and she doesn’t deserve that.”“In the coming days we’ll look at some sort of internal sanction.“
When asked if Gayle’s behaviour could be a product of cultural differences between Australia and the Caribbean, he responded “It could be a cultural thing, but it’s unacceptable here in Australia and we don’t condone that.“
James Sutherland: Anyone that sees the humour in that is misunderstanding and somewhat delusional about the situation.
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) January 5, 2016
Gayle remains with the side.
