Chris Gayle has claimed he was made a “scapegoat” during the sexism row which erupted at the star of the year after he asked a female sports presenter out for a drink live on air.
Following an Australian Big Bash League match in January, Gayle was interviewed by Channel Ten presenter Mel McLaughlin. He then received criticism for asking McLaughlin for a drink before telling her “don’t blush baby”.
Following the remarks, Gayle was fined by his team the Melbourne Renegades. The head of Cricket Australia, James Sutherland, said the comments were “out of line and inappropriate” before saying they “bordered on harassment and are completely inappropriate in cricket and the workplace”.
Gayle apologised to McLaughlin and dismissed the controversy as a “simple joke” blown out of proportion. McLaughlin labelled the exchange “disappointing”.
Now, the batsman has claimed he was made a scapegoat and treated with “double standards” by the Big Bash League.
“I didn’t felt like I was being treated right at the particular time, there’s a way of actually going about it," he told the BBC. "And then the media made a big mockery out of it at the time.
“Straight up, it was a lot of double standards. For someone being a part of the Big Bash for many years, for someone who actually build the Big Bash from day one. The same name that build the Big Bash, the same name they want to tarnish […] next they say we should get rid of Chris Gayle, ban Chris Gayle […] it’s just ridiculous.
“You can’t brand me for running a joke like that, it’s just unfortunate and people have their agenda against other people as well.
Gayle said the incident didn’t “get him down” and didn’t affect him much but claims he was made a scapegoat.
“It was ridiculous how they went about it, trying to use me as a big scapegoat,” he said.
Gayle has since mocked the incident. In an interview with a man, former Australian cricketer Tom Moody in February, Gayle said: “Don’t blush Tom” before bursting into laughter.
The Independent has contacted the Big Bash league for comment.
