Sports

Ian Chappell urges worldwide ban on Chris Gayle

Former Australian captain believes the left-handed batsmen’s behaviour was not a 'one-off thing'

Sports Desk January 09, 2016

PHOTO: AFP

Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has urged Cricket Australia to propose a worldwide ban on former West Indian captain Chris Gayle over an attempt to flirt with an Australian presenter on live TV.

Gayle, who was fined $7,000 by Melbourne Renegades for the incident, asked Ten Network reporter Mel McLaughlin out for a drink during an interview with the burly West Indian after he blasted 41 runs off 15 balls in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

Gayle fined $7,000 for 'out of line' TV chat-up

The 72-year-old said that banning Gayle from taking part in the Big Bash League (BBL) is not enough, and Cricket Australia should take more measures to ensure that the message is being heard all over the cricket world.

“I wouldn’t have a problem if Cricket Australia said to the clubs, ‘he’s never to be contracted again in this country’,” said Chappell.“And I also wouldn’t have a problem if Cricket Australia said to the ICC, ‘what we’re doing should be worldwide’.

“I wouldn’t have a problem if it was tabled at an ICC meeting that Cricket Australia said, ‘this is what we’re doing and we would recommend that everybody else do the same’.” Chappell concluded.

Gayle defends ‘inappropriate’ comments to reporter as ‘joke’

Live on air, Gayle — who later insisted he was just joking — said he was happy to be interviewed by McLaughlin “just to see your eyes for the first time”.

“Nice, so hopefully we can win this game and we can have a drink after,” he said.

“Don’t blush baby,” the Jamaican added, prompting the unimpressed McLaughlin to shake her head and reply, “I’m not blushing.”

“Sorry,” added Gayle, breaking into a big laugh.

Journalist caught 'watching porn' in media box during Melbourne Test

The former Australian great also went on to add that the left-handed batsmen’s behaviour was not a one-off case. “If it was a one-off thing, yeah, slap him with a $10,000 fine and say ‘mate, don’t do it again’,” said Chappell. “But every woman I spoke to [about Gayle] who’s working at the cricket, you got the same answer from”

The fiery West Indian will feature in a BBL match on Saturday, when two sides from Melbourne will go head to head in a much awaited derby game.

The article originally appeared on Guardian

COMMENTS (6)

Dr.M.M. Khan | 8 years ago | Reply @Kolsat: Dear Kolsat. I thank you for your comment and beg to differ. I live in West and understand the Western culture well since i have been living in Scananavia for the last 40 years and head a large dept. More than 50% of my staff is females. The rules of engagement are clear for such incidents which occasionally happen! 1) Verbal warning in the presence of a witness.2) written warning in case of recurrence.3) Dismissal with a right to rehabiltate. I am not qualified to make moral judgements but can relate to my experience. To deny somebody the right to livlihood is the worst possible punishment. With best wishes.

Adman | 8 years ago | Reply PCB should learn from this case. Umer akmal was caught red handed while partying in Hyderabad but was still given permission to play international cricket.

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Dr. Syed Imam | 8 years ago | Reply Before we crucify Gayle, we need to understand the caribbean culture where flirting is a part of the culture and is not considered demeaning at all. He apologized and paid the fine and the matter should be closed.

Kolsat | 8 years ago | Reply @Dr. M..M .Khan: I am afraid you do not understand western countries. We treat women as equals and do not say such things to a woman we meet for the first time. gayle should know that and since it is not his first misdemenour what Ian Chappell said is correct and gayle deserves a strong punishment.

Adil Khan | 8 years ago | Reply @Dr. M..M .Khan: Not if he's doing this to almost all the women he comes across in his playing life. Then he's a serial flirter offending ladies who are just doing their job. I can imagine his reaction if someone was to flirt with his wife or girlfriend..... he'd be looking to hit him out of the ground. A whole new meaning to the Big Bash.

Dr. M..M .Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Let us draw a line under this episode. The man has apologized and paid the fine for his foolish comments. Is his crime so serious that he should be denied his livlihood? The reporter at the centre of storm has behaved impeccably and wants to move on. So should we!

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