Channel 7’s David Basheer slammed for comment about Matildas’ Katrina Gorry

A Channel 7 commentator has been torched online for making a controversial comment about one of the members of the Matildas.

A Channel 7 commentator covering the Matildas has been accused of a foul after he appeared to be surprised that a player could both be a mum and competitive on the field.

The network’s David Basheer was covering Australia’s opening World Cup match against Ireland on Thursday at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.

In front of a record 75,784 crowd, the Matildas scored a second half penalty courtesy of Steph Catley to triumph 1-0 over Ireland.

The wild scenes left some footy commentators stunned.

Matildas great Heather Garriock was blown away by the spectacle.

“Just a memorable moment, an iconic occasion,” she said on Channel 7.

“History in the making. Not only for sport generally, but for women’s football. We have come so far.”

But Basheer chimed in with an observation about midfielder Katrina Gorry that left many scratching their heads – and some outraged.

Katrina Gorry walks on to the pitch prior to the match. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“The smile says it all from Katrina Gorry,” Basheer said.

“Certainly motherhood has not blunted her competitive instincts, that’s for sure. She is one fighter for Australia.”

The comments may have been well intentioned but they went down like a bad tackle with viewers of the match questioning why having a child would have run the risk of compromising Gorry’s skill.

Craig Moore and David Basheer when he was at SBS.

“Can the male commentating the Matildas Ireland game please refrain from suggesting it’s great a player’s competitive instinct hasn’t changed since she had a child?” said writer Dr Victoria Fielding.

“Why on earth would a woman’s sporting drive change through childbirth? You wouldn’t say it to a father playing sport.”

“Don’t know if that commentator has ever met a mother … The most instinctively competitive people on earth,” said comedian Dan Ilic.

Former ABC News presenter Emma Alberici simply wrote “huh?”

Can the male commentating the Matildas Ireland game please refrain from suggesting it’s great a player’s competitive instinct hasn’t changed since she had a child? Why on earth would a woman’s sporting drive change through childbirth? You wouldn’t say it to a father playing sport

— Victoria Fielding (@DrVicFielding) July 20, 2023

Dude commentating on the Matildas: "certainly motherhood hasn't blunted her competitive instincts"

sorry WHAT pic.twitter.com/kCUStXPAdc

— Daniel Levy (@DJLevy4821) July 20, 2023

David Basheer calling the women's world cup pic.twitter.com/AaAQw1RnFx

— Jackie (@jackie_jade_) July 20, 2023

One person on Twitter demanded Basheer be taken off air for the rest of the tournament if that was to be his calibre of commentary on female players.

“Dear lord, I thought we were past this kind of ridiculous narrative from male commentators. Do better 7 Sport,” said another.

“Sorry what,” was one succinct comment.

Matildas’ Katrina Gorry with her daughter Harper. Source: Instagram/Katrina Gorry

Gorry, 30, gave birth in 2021 to her daughter Harper after undergoing IVF treatment.

She brought the bub to a Matildas match in Canada last year.

After taking some time off, she returned to the squad in April 2022.

At the time, Gorry said her Matildas selection felt “amazing”.

“This is probably the healthiest, happiest (and) best I’ve been playing in a very long time,” she said.

“You can see it in my face, you can see it in the way I’m playing.

“I’m excited to show the world and just be back in the Matildas environment.”

Gorry lives in Sweden where she plays for Vittsjö GIK, based in the south of the country, 100km from Malmo.

Last month, Gorry announced her engagement to fellow Vittsjö player Clara Markstedt.

Markstedt was the one that popped the question.

“She said YES! How did I get so lucky?” Markstedt wrote on social media.