Triple M radio presenter Marty Sheargold has been called out over “utterly disgusting” and “abhorrent” comments made on-air about the Matildas and women’s sports, comparing the team to “Year 10 girls”.
In a segment on Monday evening, the radio host went on a bizarre rant about the national treasure Tillies, hours after they conceded 2-1 in a commendable effort against the powerhouse US team in the ongoing SheBelieves Cup.
The devastating loss came days after the team lost 4-0 to Japan at the tournament.
Reflecting on the team’s campaign thus far, fellow program hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralston remarked it’s been a “nightmare tournament” for the Matildas over in the US.
Sheargold quickly piped in that there’s “something wrong with the Matildas”.
“They had that wonderful tournament out here where we all fell in love with them,” he said, referencing the team’s 2023 World Cup campaign in which they made the semifinals, though he wrongly referenced they “didn’t make the quarters”.
“You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls,” he said, with laughter heard 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.”
Attempts to move the discussion back to sports news didn’t turn out great, with Ralston mentioning the SheBelieves Cup and Sheargold quipping: “Oh, she believes in what? It better be men!”
It’s all incredibly cringe to hear and unfortunately there’s more to this tale.
When it was pointed out we’re around a year out from Australia hosting the Women’s Asian Cup — taking place from 1 to 21 March 2026 — Sheargold responded with a groan.
“Oh god. The Asian Cup. I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that,” he said. “Got any men’s sport?”
The uncomfortable segment quickly made its way to social media, with Australian Olympian hockey player Rosie Malone rightfully calling out the comments on her Instagram.
“It’s 2025 and something like this is being aired on prime time radio…disgusting,” she said.
As you can image, it didn’t take long for plenty of others to weigh in either. Responding to the post, British Formula 1 presenter Natalie Pinkham pointing out Channel 7’s audience for the Women’s World Cup semi final between Australia and England peaked at 11.15 million.
“They should probably wake up, grow up ….and fill up the popcorn,” she remarked.
Australian Olympian and former professional basketball player Lauren Jackson agreed this is “standard misogyny alive and thriving. Matildas midfielder Alex Chidiac remarked she’s “so sick of this shit” and her Tillies teammate Clare Wheeler pointed out sport “is for everyone and these views are for no one”.
It didn’t help that comments were quickly turned off on Sheargold’s Instagram, with one user pointing out: “The Matilda’s are our national team. The Asia cup is a world respected international tournament. What was acceptable about a single thing that Marty said? Misogynistic and racist commentary isn’t good radio. It’s not even half good.”
Sheargold has been quickly forced to issue an apology for the shocking comments on-air, as reported by Nine’s World Wide of Sports.
“Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
A Southern Cross Austereo spokesperson added the comments regarding the Matildas “do not align with Triple M’s views and values”.
“Triple M remains steadfast in its strong support of all women’s and men’s sports. We are sorry for any offence caused,” they said.
(Source: Instagram)
Still, the (understandable) backlash has been significant and it’s everywhere.
“There is a line between constructive criticism and this misogynistic bullshit,” one user shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Journalist Alex Thomas described the remarks as “utterly disgusting”.
“This wouldn’t have been funny 30 years ago let alone now. Classless, sexist and out of touch!” he said, later adding the apology remains a “bullshit attempt to sweep this controversy aside”.
And by the looks of our FYP, there’s plenty more where that came from.
“His ‘jokes’ remind me of Year Nine boys,” one user commented.
“This is sickening for daytime radio on a popular channel,” another added.
Plenty more have chimed in, pointing out how disheartening this must be for young girls in sport.
It’s another disappointing addition to all the naysayers when it comes to women’s sport. And while it’s a positive step there’s been an apology of some kind, we’ve got to endeavour to do better.
Lead image: Getty Images / Instagram
