‘Got any men’s sport?’ – Australian host loses job over women’s football remarks

After making comments about Australia’s women’s football team, which were criticized as disrespectful and misogynistic, an Australian radio presenter left the network.

The Matildas players reminded him of “year 10 girls,” according to Marty Sheargold, who had previously claimed on the national radio station Triple M that their matches were boring.

He apologized earlier on Wednesday, and he was scheduled to return to the show, but he missed his usual time.

Sheargold said in a statement on Wednesday that he fully comprehended the gravity of his remarks and that he would like to “sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organization.”

The company asserted that it “takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders, and clients seriously,” and that its programming should adhere to audience expectations and standards.

“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”, the firm’s chief content officer Dave Cameron said in a statement.

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.

Sheargold made an interjection during a sports bulletin on Monday afternoon during his drivetime show, which covered Australia’s second-straight loss of the SheBelieves Cup.

You are aware of their resemblance to me, do you? Year 10 girls”, Sheargold said, to the laughter of his co-hosts.

“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 by name, Sheargold interrupted saying: “Oh, she believes in what? It better be men”.

And he said, “oh god, the Asian Cup,” before criticizing the event with an obscene comment when it was mentioned that Australia would host the AFC Women’s Asian Cup the following year. He then asked his co-host: “Got any men’s sport”?

Minister for Sport Anika Wells called the comments “boorish, boring and wrong”.

“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”, Ms Wells said.

Australian Olympian Ambrosia Malone, who represents her country in hockey, also criticised Sheargold.

She wrote on social media that she only had a few moments to think about when the young girls were hearing this while driving with their parents, perhaps on their way to or from their own training sessions.

“I’m sure many of them would have been hurt and confused… I was in disbelief.

“This is apparently acceptable on mainstream afternoon radio,” you ask? HOW?? “

Football Australia expressed regret over the offensive comments, which fail to acknowledge the significant impact they have had on Australian sport and society.