The allegations came after Gayle was fined $10,000 for attempting to flirt with Channel 10 reporter Mel McLaughlin live on air during the Renegades’ clash with the Hobart Hurricanes on Monday night.
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O’Brien has previously represented heavyweights Alan Jones, Kerry Packer and Rene Rivkin in high-profile cases while also representing Publishing and Broadcasting Limited and the Australian Rugby League during the Super League war.
“It’s not a nightclub – it’s actually a workplace, it’s Chris Gayle’s workplace and it’s Mel McLaughlin’s workplace and those comments border on harassment and are inappropriate for cricket and inappropriate for the workplace”, he said.
“Chris denies the allegations published by Fairfax Media earlier today”. Sir Richie is reported to have subsequently sent a communique to all his team members about the need to be more respectful to women at the World Cup. Fairfax Media cited an anonymous woman who wasn’t comfortable with revealing her name.
Gayle is now unlikely to play in the Big Bash after this season, and if an investigation substantiates the woman’s claims, he may have his current contract with the Melbourne Renegades torn up, according to reports.
Gayle did not stop there and said that her (reporter’s) eyes were very lovely and asked her out for drinks after the game, adding that she should not blush.
Considering Cricket Australia will stop Gayle from partaking in future BBL tournaments due to his behaviour, the West Indian batsman now has few bridges left to burn and is expected to pursue the matter to its end. She said Gayle came on to her during a 2011 interview saying, “Sorry, I was totally distracted by your pretty face – could you repeat the question?”
The BBL, one of a growing number of domestic Twenty20 tournaments helping revolutionize cricket, is a TV ratings victor in Australia and drew a crowd of 80,000 for a game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over the weekend.
He later apologised for any offence, saying it was a “simple joke”.
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The Renegades, meantime, have refused to make any further comment about remarks made by chief executive Stuart Coventry, who on Wednesday described the fresh allegations as “opportunistic”.
