An Australian radio presenter has departed from Triple M following controversial comments about the national women’s football team that sparked widespread criticism.
Marty Sheargold made remarks on air comparing the Matildas players to “year 10 girls” and suggesting their matches were boring. Despite issuing an apology Wednesday, Sheargold did not return to his usual time slot.
Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), Triple M’s parent company, announced that Sheargold and the station had “mutually part ways.” In his apology, Sheargold acknowledged the severity of his comments, offering a “sincere apology to the Matildas and the broader organisation.”
SCA’s chief content officer Dave Cameron stated the company “takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders, and clients seriously” and that its programming “should align with the standards and expectations of its audience.”
The controversy began during Sheargold’s Monday afternoon show when he interrupted a sports bulletin about Australia’s loss to the US in the SheBelieves Cup. “You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls,” Sheargold said as his co-hosts laughed. “All the infighting and all the friendship issues… Now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it.”
When his colleague mentioned the SheBelieves Cup, Sheargold responded: “Oh, she believes in what? It better be men.” He also dismissed the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup with an obscene comment before asking, “Got any men’s sport?”
Sports Minister Anika Wells condemned the remarks as “boorish, boring and wrong,” highlighting that “Australia’s most watched television event ever was the Matildas World Cup semi-final.”
Australian hockey Olympian Ambrosia Malone expressed concern about young girls who might have heard the comments while traveling to or from training sessions, writing on social media: “This is apparently acceptable on mainstream afternoon radio??? HOW??”
Football Australia described the comments as “deeply disappointing” and “unacceptable,” adding they “fail to recognise the profound impact [the Matildas] have had on Australian sport and society.” The organization called the incident “a stark reminder of the responsibility media outlets and personalities have in fostering respectful and constructive discussions about women’s sport.”
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