Aussie Olympics legend Leisel Jones breaks down in tears on live radio over her colleague’s disgraceful sexist outburst about the Matildas

Aussie Olympic swimming star Leisel Jones has made an emotional statement on live radio today in the wake of Marty Sheargold’s controversial comments about the Matildas and female sport.

Jones, 39, who works for Triple M Breakfast on the Gold Coast, said that Sheargold’s remarks on his Triple M show made her feel ‘extremely sick’ after he compared the team’s stars to ‘year 10 girls’ and said he would rather mutilate his genitals than watch them play.

‘I’m not going to cry. I’m not going to cry,’ Jones began, while sobbing.

‘The comments are so hurtful against women’s sport that The Marty Sheargold Show shared. And obviously I’ve been quite upset all morning, and I was upset when I came in. I’ve been on and off the show all morning.

‘It’s a very tricky position to be put in when Triple M is my place of employment, and obviously I love working on the show and I find it incredibly challenging to be put in a position where I become the unofficial spokesperson for women in sport.’

Jones continued, ‘Obviously, everyone would know I was a woman in sport. I’ve competed at the top level for women in sport and I am one of the biggest supporters. And when I woke up this morning and I came to work, I was bombarded with messages of why I wasn’t responding, why I didn’t say anything on social media.

‘And I think a lot of people need to understand that it’s very hard when you’re in this position to say the things that you would really like to say. I would love to say all of these things. I have so many things inside that I would love to say I am the biggest supporter of women in sport.’

Jones then made a direct statement to kids who might have heard the remarks from Sheargold.

‘Please know that you are welcome to play sport … Sorry, I’m upset,’ she said while breaking down.

‘You are welcome to play sport to whatever level. You don’t have to be a midfielder. You don’t have to be an Olympian. You just play sport because sport is so wonderful.

‘The biggest thing we could ask for is men to be on our side, when it comes to women in sport, because it’s always an uphill battle. To be paid less, to get less coverage, to not get the credit they deserve.’

Jones then made a statement for the Matildas, who copped the brunt of Sheargold’s tirade, saying: ‘I think it’s so important to know they are inspiring, no matter what level they get to. Please know you are inspiring so many people.’

Sheargold has been slammed for the comments he made on-air about the Matildas football team and women’s sport, with many fans calling for him to be sacked.

The comedian and actor was speaking on The Marty Sheargold Show on Monday, hours after the Matildas had been defeated 2-1 by the USA in the SheBelieves Cup. 

The result came just three days after the Matildas were embarrassed in a 4-0 tournament-opening loss to Japan, which interim coach Tom Sermanni described as ‘un-Australian’.

Fellow show host Troy Ellis brought up the topic and Sheargold gave his two cents on the national team. 

‘There’s something wrong with the Matildas,’ he said.

‘They had that wonderful tournament out here (2023 FIFA World Cup) where we all fell in love with them, even though they didn’t make the quarters.

‘You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls… 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 a**e.’

His co-hosts tried to continue discussing the SheBelieves Cup when Sheargold jumped in, exclaiming: ‘Oh, she believes in what? It better be men’.

On the topic of Sam Kerr and her partner Kristie Mewis, Sheargold asked, ‘do they play the same position?’

The conversation then moved to Australia hosting the women’s Asian Cup next year.

‘Oh god. The Asian Cup,’ Sheargold said.

‘I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that.

‘Got any men’s sport?’

His comments sparked a fierce reaction on social media, with many people calling for him to be fired.

One commenter on X wrote: ‘Disgusting he is a pos and should be sacked.’

‘Sorry you took offence at my poor attempt at comedy’ is not an apology and it is disgraceful that Marty Sheargold is still employed by @TripleMMelb after his misogynistic rant,’ added another.

‘His sexist and homophobia shouldn’t be allowed airtime in 2025,’ wrote another sports fan who wants Sheargold removed from his job.

‘Marty Sheargold, count your days. This is one of the worst things I’ve heard said on radio in a long time,’ added another, who also listed several broadcasting rules she claimed the DJ had breached with his comments. 

On Wednesday morning, Sheargold issued an apology on social media.

‘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,’ Sheargold said in a statement.

Australian Olympic hockey player Rosie Malone took to social media, writing: ‘I honestly don’t know what is wrong with the world’.

‘I heard this on the radio yesterday in prime time (5.30pm) on the way to training and all I could think about was the young girls sitting in the car with their parents, maybe on the way to or from their own training sessions hearing this.

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

‘This is apparently acceptable on mainstream afternoon radio??? HOW??’

Malone’s post sparked more outrage among her followers, with some saying they were contacting the broadcaster as they believed his comments had broken broadcasting rules.

‘Complaint sent to Triple M, sick of hearing his horrific takes across multiple platforms,’ one user replied, with several others also adding they have contacted the broadcaster in an effort to have Sheargold punished.

‘For anyone wondering, these were the rules of the code breached: 2.1.4, 2.2, 3.1.1, 3.1.3,’ another added.

‘Disgusting. Can’t believe they think this is OK to air,’ posted another commenter.

‘Is this a f**king joke?!? I feel like I’m living in a simulation. That cannot be a real recording,’ said a third.

‘Does Marty talk to his partner and children about women like this?’ replied another.

Triple J host, and girlfriend of footy star Darcy Moore, Dee Salmin, commented: ‘how f**king embarrassing’.

Aussie swimming legend Libby Trickett also waded into the controversy, writing: ‘I’m livid. It’s 2025 and this isn’t funny.’ 

Triple M also apologised on social media on Wednesday, writing, ‘Marty Sheargold’s comments regarding the Matildas  made on Triple M Drive on Monday, 24 February 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.’

However, the apologies went over badly with many fans, who blasted the broadcaster for blocking fans from expressing their thoughts on the post. 

‘Nothing like making an apology and then turning comments off,’ one wrote.

”I can see why people may have taken offence.’ That’s not taking responsibility, that’s shifting blame. Taking responsibility would be ‘My actions/words were offensive and I apologise.’ That’s not an apology, that’s a deflection,’ added another.

‘I see the small coward has turned off his social media comments. Pathetic that he’s so soft that he can’t handle feedback on his ‘comedy’,’ a third wrote. 

”Marty Sheargold’s comments…do not align with Triple M’s views and values’ THEN SACK HIM,’ added another. 

Football Australia announced the governing body is ‘deeply disappointed’ with Sheargold’s ‘unacceptable comments’ in an announcement on Wednesday morning.

‘It is imperative that all media outlets and commentators uphold a standard of respect that reflects the immense contribution of the CommBank Matildas and all female athletes to our sporting culture and Australian story,’ FA wrote. 

‘All female athletes deserve to be covered with the same level of professionalism and respect afforded to their male counterparts.’

Sheargold made headlines following the 2023 AFL grand final after allegedly making a number of offensive comments to other guests while watching the game from a corporate box.

Following the incident, he took personal leave from his Triple M Melbourne breakfast show after a mysterious three-month absence.