Australian Radio Host Faces Backlash Over Misogynistic Comments on Women's Football

Australian radio presenter Marty Sheargold has apologized after his comments likening the national women's football team to "year 10 girls" were deemed offensive and misogynistic. Football Australia and various public figures criticized the remarks, emphasizing the need for respectful discourse in sports.

A presenter on one of Australia's largest radio networks, Marty Sheargold, has faced significant backlash for derogatory comments he made about the national women's football team, the Matildas, which many have labeled as misogynistic and disrespectful. During his show on Triple M, Sheargold suggested that the players reminded him of "year 10 girls," insinuating that their matches were uninteresting. His remarks coincided with discussions about Australia's recent losses in the SheBelieves Cup, further amplifying condemnation from the sport's governing body.

Football Australia expressed that Sheargold's comments were "unacceptable" and "deeply disappointing," highlighting that they undermine the team's impressive accomplishments, including their semi-final appearance in the 2023 Women's World Cup. Following public outrage, Sheargold issued a brief statement acknowledging his misstep and offering a sincere apology for any offense caused, indicating he would address the matter further on air.

The controversy unfolded during Monday's drivetime show when Sheargold made his remarks amidst laughter from co-hosts. He further diminished the significance of the SheBelieves Cup and the upcoming AFC Women's Asian Cup with inappropriate comments, asking if there were any men’s sports to discuss instead.

Southern Cross Austereo, the parent company of Triple M, stated that Sheargold's views do not reflect the network’s values and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting both women's and men's sports. Minister for Sport Anika Wells criticized the comments as "boorish, boring, and wrong" while also noting that the Matildas World Cup semi-final was Australia's most-watched television event ever.

Responding to the uproar, Australian Olympian Ambrosia Malone expressed concern over the impact of such comments on young girls who might hear them while in the car with their parents. She remarked how disheartening it is to think that these moments of misogyny are deemed acceptable on mainstream radio. Football Australia reiterated the importance of responsible commentary from media professionals to cultivate respectful conversations surrounding women's sports and their athletes.