Marty Sheargold's offensive remarks comparing the Matildas to "year 10 girls" and criticizing women's football have led to his departure from Triple M. The comments have sparked outrage, prompting apologies and discussions on the responsibility of media figures.
Australian Radio Host Dismisses Women's Football, Loses Job Over Controversial Remarks
Australian Radio Host Dismisses Women's Football, Loses Job Over Controversial Remarks
A radio presenter loses his position after making disparaging comments about the Matildas, Australia's women's football team, highlighting ongoing issues of misogyny in sports commentary.
An Australian radio personality has faced backlash following misogynistic remarks about the nation's women's football team, leading to his departure from Triple M. Marty Sheargold likened Matildas players to "year 10 girls" and dismissed their matches as dull during a live broadcast, comments that resulted in widespread condemnation.
Despite issuing an apology, Sheargold will no longer appear on air. The station's parent company, Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), announced a mutual decision to part ways with him. In his statement, Sheargold acknowledged the severity of his words and extended his heartfelt apologies to the Matildas and their supporters.
SCA emphasized its commitment to aligning broadcast standards with audience expectations. Chief content officer Dave Cameron remarked on the need for reflection and the ongoing support of their staff in light of this incident. Australia's football governing body criticized Sheargold for belittling the impressive accomplishments of a team that reached the semi-finals of the 2023 Women's World Cup.
During his show, Sheargold dismissed an upcoming discussion of the SheBelieves Cup with inappropriate jokes aimed at women's sports. This drew laughter from colleagues but later proved damaging for his career. Sport Minister Anika Wells condemned his comments as "boorish" and pointed out that the Matildas ranked among Australia's most popular television events.
Olympian Ambrosia Malone also condemned the broadcast, expressing concern for young girls who might hear such remarks and feel hurt or confused. Football Australia declared itself "deeply disappointed" and underscored the importance of respectful dialogue concerning women's sports and its players. The incident serves as a concerning reminder of the ongoing challenges facing women's representation in sports media.
