Triple M host Marty Sheargold forced to apologise for offensive on-air comments about Matildas

Marty Sheargold, a host at Australia's Triple M radio station, has faced widespread criticism and been compelled to issue a public apology for comments he made about the Australian women's national soccer team (Matildas) on his program. The remarks were deemed sexist and triggered strong disapproval from the football community and the general public, highlighting the ongoing need for respectful dialogue in sports commentary.

During Monday's broadcast of his eponymous show, Sheargold stated he "would rather staple his penis to a dartboard" than watch the upcoming Women's Asian Cup next year. This statement was made during a news brief about the Matildas' loss in the SheBelieves Cup, alongside co-hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralston, underscoring the insensitivity of the remark within the context of their performance.

Football Australia issued a statement expressing its "deep disappointment" with Sheargold's "unacceptable comments" and called on the media to be more responsible when reporting on women's sports. The statement emphasized that Sheargold's remarks not only demeaned the outstanding achievements and contributions of the women's national team but also failed to recognize their profound impact on Australian sport and society, reinforcing the importance of recognizing female athletes' accomplishments.

Former Australian women's hockey player Rosie Malone posted a clip of Sheargold's comments on Instagram, captioning it "It's 2025 and this is still being broadcast on prime time radio... absolutely disgusting." Malone also mentioned that she had to add the censor herself because the audio content was so shocking, reflecting the pervasive nature of the harmful language. Malone's post garnered support from numerous athletes, including Australian soccer players Alex Chidiac and Clare Wheeler, as well as Diamond netball players Gretel Bueta and Bianca Chatfield, demonstrating solidarity against sexist remarks in sports.

Following sustained backlash on social media, Sheargold and Triple M each issued apology statements on Wednesday morning. Sheargold stated, "Any comedy, including mine, sometimes misses the mark, and I can understand why people would be offended by my comments about the Matildas. I sincerely apologize." Triple M also expressed "apologies for any offense or distress caused," emphasizing that Sheargold's comments do not represent the views and values of Triple M, which will continue to firmly support all women's and men's sporting events, reaffirming their commitment to inclusivity.

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) chief executive Beau Busch stated, "It is important that this ignorance is not normalised." He called Sheargold's comments "repugnant, sad and deeply misogynistic" and stated that "unlike the inspiring women across the country, he instead sought to belittle women's sport with cheap and backward commentary," highlighting the stark contrast between his words and the achievements of female athletes.

It is worth noting that Sheargold previously took time off after an incident during the 2023 Australian Football League (AFL) grand final, stating he was "mentally exhausted" and wanted to "remove some of the barriers and stigma around mental health." Furthermore, he was also criticized in March 2024 for allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks on his show, adding to a pattern of controversial statements. Sheargold also appears in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television comedy "Fisk," showcasing the diverse aspects of his career.