SYDNEY, Australia, February 26, 2025 – An Australian radio presenter has left the network after comments he made about the country’s women’s football team – which have been branded as misogynist and disrespectful. Marty Sheargold said on nationwide radio station Triple M that the Matildas players reminded him of “year 10 girls” and implied that they were not skilled enough to compete at a professional level.
The comments sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many calling for Sheargold to be fired. The network initially defended Sheargold, stating that his comments were meant to be humorous and lighthearted. However, as the backlash continued to grow, the network eventually decided to part ways with the radio host.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about sexism and misogyny in sports. Many have pointed out that the Matildas are a highly skilled and accomplished team, having competed in several international tournaments and winning numerous awards. The team’s fans and supporters have taken to social media to express their outrage and disappointment at Sheargold’s comments, using the hashtag #RespectTheMatildas.
The Australian women’s football team has been making waves in recent years, with their impressive skills and dedication to the sport. The team has inspired a new generation of young girls and women to take up the sport, and their success has helped to promote women’s football in Australia. Sheargold’s comments have been seen as a setback to this progress, and many have called for greater respect and recognition for the team and its players.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of media personalities in promoting sexism and misogyny. Sheargold’s comments have been criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes about women’s sports and reinforcing sexist attitudes. The network’s initial defense of Sheargold has also been criticized, with many arguing that it perpetuated a culture of sexism and misogyny.
In a statement, the network apologized for Sheargold’s comments and announced that it would be taking steps to promote greater respect and inclusivity for women’s sports. The statement read: “We apologize for the offense caused by Marty Sheargold’s comments. We recognize that his comments were unacceptable and perpetuated negative stereotypes about women’s sports. We are committed to promoting greater respect and inclusivity for women’s sports and will be taking steps to ensure that our programming reflects this commitment.”
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of promoting respect and inclusivity for women’s sports. Many have called for greater recognition and support for women’s sports, including increased funding and resources. The incident has also highlighted the need for greater accountability and responsibility from media personalities and networks in promoting positive and respectful attitudes towards women’s sports.