New Delhi: A day after Chris Gayle's remarks to Mel McLaughlin became the centre of all headlines, Channel Ten's sports reporter has accepted the left-hander's apology which he issued earlier in the day.
Reacting to the incident, on Tuesday night, McLaughlin told Channel Ten's The Project, "I am fine. I am a little bit uncomfortable, I am not used to being at the centre of any sort of story and this one certainly escalated. I am okay."
"I have not spoken to him personally, but I flew home from Hobart earlier today and on airport he issued an apology. I accept that. I just want to move on," McLaughlin added.
Earlier in the day, the West Indian 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.
Gayle, who is currently playing for Melbourne Renegrades in the Big Bash League (BBL), made inappropriate remarks to Mel McLaughlin, a reporter with the official broadcaster of the league, in an interview during his side's victory over Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval.
When McLaughlin asked the 36-year-old about his 15-ball 41, the West Indian said, "I wanted to come and have an interview with you as well," Gayle said to McLaughlin, when asked about how aggressively he had batted. "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."
