Reporter Mel McLaughlin says she accepts Chris Gayle's apology and wants to move on following a controversial sideline interview which provoked widespread outrage.
The big-hitting West Indian was fined $10,000 by the Melbourne Renegades for his attempt to flirt with Channel 10's McLaughlin which he described as a "simple joke" that had been blown out of proportion.
He later publically apologised for any offence caused.
"I've not spoken to (Gayle) personally but I flew home from Hobart today and he was at Melbourne airport," McLaughlin told Channel 10's The Project on Tuesday night.
"I know he issued an apology and I accept that.
"I just want to move on."
McLaughlin said it was a good thing the incident had sparked debate over sexism in sporting media.
"We want equality, we always want equality," she told Channel 10 news.
"I've always felt in my career I've felt nothing but respect.
"Of course you don't expect to get that answer (from Gayle).
"(It's) a little bit disappointing because it just doesn't happen normally."
Hours after receiving his penalty, Gayle posted on Instagram joking that fellow West Indian Dwayne Bravo would have to pay for dinner.
"Pockets are empty so @djbravo47 paying the dinner bill nothing ... Let's roll DJ. #champion," the post featuring the two players read.
Sri Lanka great Mahela Jayawardene said Gayle had not handled himself well when he made the suggestive comments.
Speaking after the Adelaide Strikers' BBL win on Tuesday night, Jayawardene said the big-hitting West Indian should have acted more professionally.
"I've known Gayle for a long time and he's a funny guy," Jayawardene said.
"I don't think he takes that many things seriously but obviously people react differently as well. I reckon we could probably tone it down a bit.
"At the same time, Chris should've realised that it was a much more professional situation and handled himself a bit better."
Meanwhile, a woman has alleged Gayle indecently exposed himself to her while she was working around the West Indies team during their preparation for the World Cup in Sydney last year.
According to a Fairfax report, the woman entered the West Indian dressing room where Gayle was wrapped in a towel which she says he pulled down partially to expose his genitals while saying to her: "Are you looking for this?"
"You put yourself in an office environment in Australia, and there's no way that's going to fly," the woman said.
"Put yourself back in that deserted change room and it's somehow OK for a career professional to be subjected to sexual jokes and demeaning advances."
Two other female journalists Neroli Meadows and Melinda Farrell came forward on Tuesday to detail inappropriate comments or advances from Gayle.
Former Test opener Chris Rogers said he had distanced himself from Gayle while playing alongside him at Sydney Thunder and was concerned by the example he set for younger players.
"This is a pattern of behaviour," Rogers told ABC's Grandstand on Tuesday.
"If you know the guy you see it over and over."
Share
