Published: Jan 06, 2016, 08:25 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 09, 2016, 11:03 AM (IST)
Cricket has seen very few entertainers like Chris Gayle. The man who always loves to sport a smile also is a reason for smiles on the faces of several fans around the world. Recently he got involved in an unwanted controversy during an interview with Ten Sport journalist Mel McLaughlin and the issue seems to continue flaring up. Cricket needs characters and players like Gayle, but this issue doesn’t seem to die down.
There are reports that the Jamaican superstar may not get to feature in the forthcoming editions of the Big Bash League (BBL). Gayle has already apologised for his “joke” where he asked the presenter to join for a drink after the game but other sections of the media continue to report about his alleged past misdeeds. Read more: Chris Gayle draws criticism on Twitter for making advances at reporter during interview
During a show in Australia, journalist Robert Craddock was quoted by Fox Sports as saying, “There’s a feeling that he will be banned. He will not return next year. Cricket Australia will not sanction it and they will take a very strong stance on it, for two reasons: One, because they don’t like his behaviour. And two, because there’s also a feeling that the competition is outgrowing some of its international stars. That it can stand on its own two feet.
Some may consider that extreme punishment for one singular offence. But the story is growing, even today there was a story on the front page alleging that Chris Gayle exposed himself to a woman during last year’s World Cup. Not good enough. Terrible behaviour. Let’s not underestimate the market we’re pitching to here. It’s the same market as the Wiggles. Kids between 5-7-9 years old. A lot of those kids would have woken up this morning saying: ‘Dad, what’s this mean about Chris Gayle exposing himself to a woman? Now, I stress these charges aren’t proven but Chris’ behaviour has been sleazy. He’s got a stripper’s room in his house. He’s got a mirror on the ceiling. He flaunts it. And if you flaunt it you’ve got to be judged by it when things go wrong. I just can’t have any sympathy for him, I’m sorry. Read more: CA, BBL criticise Chris Gayle’s behaviour; cricketer says it was just a “joke”
He further added, “And even his behaviour has been so flippantly unrepentant since he was fined yesterday. Almost like, ‘I’ll be who I want’. Well that’s all good and well but it’s not what the Big Bash wants or needs, and I must say I thought that $10,000 fine (was insufficient). Fines don’t matter to a guy who’s worth $30 million. He either has to be suspended or sacked if you think it’s a serious offence. But a fine means nothing.”
More charges from females journalists: Earlier AFP in a report quoted Fox Sports reporter Neroli Meadows branding Gayle as a “creep”. She said that during an interview in 2011, the Jamaican came to her and said, “Sorry, I was totally distracted by your pretty face — could you repeat the question?”
Nine News reporter Yvonne Sampson said, “I had a notification via Twitter that Chris Gayle would like to take me out to dinner. I would never meet him. I think Chris Gayle is a known womaniser, and that’s a really awful word, but that’s what he is.”
It was also reported that Gayle prior to a BBL match asked a reporter, “Before a Caribbean Premier League match, Gayle was once asked by a female journalist: “How does the pitch feel so far, in terms of the training and the weather?” His response: “Well, I haven’t touched yours yet so I don’t know how it feels.”
Gayle denies reports of exposing himself to a woman: Meanwhile there were reports that surfaced that a woman working around the West Indies team during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 complained that Gayle had exposed his genitals to her saying, “Are you looking for this?” The woman had visited the dressing room to fetch sandwiches. Read more: When Chris Gayle exposed himself to a woman during the World Cup
Earlier in the day, Gayle’s management released a statement: “As Chris’ management group, we have obviously been following recent events closely. Chris denies the allegations published by Fairfax Media earlier today. It is important that anyone seeking to make false allegations against Chris be aware that Chris and his management will be considering all rights and legal options available. There will be no further comment from Chris or his management at this stage.”
