New Delhi: Flamboyant West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle apologised to Channel 10 presenter Mel McLaughlin for his comments during Monday's Big Bash League match.
The Melbourne Renegades star stated that the issue was blown out of proportion and he didn't intend to disrespect McLaughlin.
“It seemed to be blown out of proportion. There wasn’t anything at all meant to be disrespectful to Mel,” Gayle said while speaking to reporters at the Melbourne Airport.
“It was a simple comment, a simple joke. “If she felt that way, I’m really sorry for that. 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 ... I don’t know how it reached this far, to be honest. It is one of those things,” he further added.
Cricketer #ChrisGayle apologises for "a simple joke" https://t.co/7YZWNW2pLl
— ABC News 24 (@ABCNews24) January 5, 2016
The opener drew flack for comments he made when McLaughlin interviewed him after he was dismissed.
“I wanted to come and have an interview with you as well. That’s the reason why I’m here, just to see your eyes for the first time. It’s nice so. Hopefully we can win this game and have a drink after. Don’t blush, baby,” Gayle said.
Well played @Mel_Mclaughlin !! Big fan of @henrygayle but made himself look a bit of a chop there @tensporttv #bbl05
— andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) January 4, 2016
'Those comments are inappropriate in cricket and inappropriate in a workplace' - James Sutherland on Chris Gayle pic.twitter.com/3q74hiXubV
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 5, 2016
Head of Big Bash League Anthony Everard released a statement later stating that he would be taking to Gayle and his franchise regarding the incident.
