Chris Gayle was fined by his club the Melbourne Renegades on Tuesday (5th January) following controversial comments he made towards a female reporter on Monday (4th January).

SOUNDBITE: (English) Stuart Coventry, Renegades Chief Executive:

"The Melbourne Renegades have today fined Chris Gayle 10-thousand dollars (7,192 US) following inappropriate remarks made during Monday night's televised against the Hobart Hurricanes on Network Ten. The club will subsequently donate this amount to the McGrath Foundation in recognition of Jane McGrath Day today. Chris's comments were completely inappropriate and disrespectful. There's simply no place for this type of comments at the Melbourne Renegades or the broader community across any sport. The club would like to extend a formal apology to Mel McLaughlin. Mel is an outstanding sports presenter. We think of her very highly and the club and the players will ensure we'll work with her in the a professional and respectful manner in the future. We've had several discussions with Chris over the last 24 hours and he's acknowledged that his comments were out of line."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Stuart Coventry, Renegades Chief Executive:

"Yeah we had a look I suppose some history and precedents established in the past, the circumstance that was in place this time and we think this is a one-off scenario. We looked at Chris's attitude over the last four, five weeks in the Big Bash games and it's been first-class and outstanding, so yeah, we've come up with a fine scenario.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Stuart Coventry, Renegades Chief Executive:

"You know, we've done a fair bit of history and research today and we do think it's a one-off. As explained this morning, we think it's probably more of a cultural indifference why he said it, and it was done in jest, so, but it's inappropriate and we've taken this course of action."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Stuart Coventry, Renegades Chief Executive:

"Quite surprised, but he's accepted it in good faith and he's looking forward to playing at a what's hopefully a sellout derby game on Saturday and he's giving himself up to do that."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Stuart Coventry, Renegades Chief Executive:

"We think that Chris's aptitude to the playing group, his contribution, he's very positive around the group, he's a seasoned professional, he just said the wrong thing at the wrong time. So, he copped that and copped a fine, it couldn't end up in a better place with the McGrath Foundation."