His comments were branded misogynistic and disrespectful
A radio host has been sacked following offensive comments he made over the Australian women’s football team.
Host on Australian nationwide radio station Triple M, Marty Sheargold said on air that the players of the national team, nicknamed ‘the Matilda’s’, reminded him of “year 10 girls” and implied their matches were boring.
The comedian and radio host made the shocking comments on Monday, saying he “would rather hammer a nail through the head of [his] penis” than watch Australia’s national women’s football team in next year’s Asian Cup.
He proceeded to ask “got any men’s sport?”
Sheargold’s rant followed on from his co-host, Troy Ellis, bringing up the team after their narrow 2-1 loss to the US in the currently ongoing SheBelieves Cup.
He said “There’s something wrong with the Matildas. They had that wonderful tournament out here [2023 Women’s World Cup] where we all fell in love with them, even though they didn’t make the quarter,” (the team made the semi-finals).
He added: “You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls, all the infighting and all the friendship issues, ‘the coach hates me and I hate bloody training and Michelle’s being a bitch’.
“Now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it so you can stick it up your arse.”
Sheargold’s co-hosts tried to continue discussing the SheBelieves Cup only to be interrupted by the host saying “Oh, SheBelieves in what? It better be men.”
Unsurprisingly, the host was hit with a wave of criticism and within two days he had been forced to apologise with the Triple M confirming he would not be returning.
Sheargold issued an apology earlier on Wednesday saying he would like to “sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organisation”.
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), the parent company of Triple M, later said Sheargold and the station had agreed to “mutually part ways”.
The company said that it “takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders, and clients seriously and its programming should align with the standards and expectations of its audience.”
Chief content officer Dave Cameron said in a statement: “Right now, it’s clear this is a moment for reflection and review. Triple M, and the wider SCA network, will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff.”
Earlier the sport’s governing body said the remarks “diminish the extraordinary achievements” of a team that were semi-finalists in the women’s world cup in 2023.
Minister for Sport Anika Wells called the comments “boorish, boring and wrong”.
She added: “Australia’s most watched television event ever was the Matildas World Cup semi-final; the Tillies’ quarterfinal is the second-most-watched event in Australian history.”
