Football Australia has condemned “unacceptable” comments made by a radio show host, who prompted outrage after comparing the Matildas to “year 10 girls” and asking “got any men’s sport?”.
Marty Sheargold, a broadcaster and comedian, said on his Triple M Drive show on Monday that 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.
A “deeply disappointed” FA issued a statement on Wednesday after Sheargold and the radio station faced widespread backlash, including from Matildas players.
“Such remarks not only diminish the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our women’s national football team but also fail to recognise the profound impact they have had on Australian sport and society,” FA said.
The comments came following the Matildas’ 2-1 defeat to world No 1 team the USA on Monday, in a much-improved performance from their previous 4-0 thrashing at the hand of Japan at the SheBelieves Cup being held in the US.
Sheargold went on the rant, which included factual inaccuracies, after the topic was brought up by co-host Troy Ellis on the drivetime show at about 5.30pm on Tuesday.
“There’s something wrong with the Matildas,” he said. “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 quarters”. The team made the semi finals.
“You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls,” he added, to laughter in the background. “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.”
Ellis and Will Ralston attempted to continue talking about the SheBelieves Cup when Sheargold interjected, “Oh, she believes in what? It better be men.
“Got any men’s sport?” he added.
Former Hockeyroos player Ambrosia Malone posted an excerpt of the programme on Instagram, saying all she could think of while listening to the show – which was broadcast in prime time – was “the young girls sitting in the car with their parents, maybe on the way to or from their own training sessions, hearing this”.
Matildas player Clare Wheeler wrote: “Sport is for everyone and these views are for no one,” and added a vomit emoji, while Alex Chidiac wrote that she was “so sick of this shit”.
The backlash saw Sheargold and Triple M issue apologies on Wednesday.
“Any comedy including mine can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence at my comments regarding the Matildas,” Sheargold said. “I sincerely apologise.”
A Triple M statement said the comments “do not align with Triple M’s views and values, and Triple M remains steadfast in its strong support of all women’s and men’s sports.
“We sincerely apologise for any offence or distress caused.”
Related: Matildas fall to another SheBelieves Cup defeat after horror start against USA
The Matildas are widely credited with inspiring a new generation of young girls and boys after their run to the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil captured the imagination of the nation.
“They have broken barriers, set new standards, and elevated the game to unprecedented heights,” FA said. “Their success has been instrumental in transforming women’s sport in Australia, and they deserve to be covered with the respect and professionalism they have earned.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the responsibility media outlets and personalities have in fostering respectful and constructive discussions about women’s sport and its participants. Every comment, every report, and every discussion shape public perception and reinforces our society’s values toward women and girls in sport.”
The Matildas complete their SheBelieves Cup campaign against Colombia on Wednesday in San Diego on Thursday morning.
