By Frances Howe
Triple M and Marty Sheargold have parted company after the radio host’s derogatory comments about the women’s national soccer team on Monday drew a furious backlash.
The broadcaster released a statement on Wednesday evening saying it had “mutually agreed to part ways” with Sheargold after the host was absent from his regular radio slot on Wednesday afternoon.
During his show on Monday, Sheargold said he would rather “hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch” women’s soccer, before asking: “Got any men’s sport?”
In a segment discussing the Matildas’ performances at the SheBelieves Cup in the US, Sheargold, who was joined by co-hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralston, said: “You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls. All the infighting and all the friendship issues and ‘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.”
Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells led a chorus of condemnation on Wednesday, saying Sheargold’s comments were “boorish, boring, [and] wrong”.
“Australia’s most-watched television event ever was the Matildas’ World Cup semi-final,” Wells said. “The Tillies’ quarter-final is the second most-watched event in Australian history, while Ash Barty’s Australian Open win and Cathy Freeman’s Sydney gold are in our top five, too.”
Triple M’s Marty Sheargold.
In announcing Sheargold’s departure, Southern Cross Austereo, which owns Triple M, said the company “takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders, and clients seriously and its programming should align with the standards and expectations of its audience.
“Right now, it’s clear this is a moment for reflection and review. Triple M, and the wider SCA network, will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff. A new Drive show will be announced in due course. Triple M acknowledges Marty’s contribution over the past four years, and we wish him well for the future.”
In the same statement, Sheargold offered an apology to the Matildas.
“Having mutually agreed to part ways with the Triple M Network, I fully understand the gravity of my comments,” he said. “I’d like to sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organisation. I would also like to thank my immediate team for their hard work and apologise for the situation they now find themselves in.”
Speaking on Wednesday morning, interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said Sheargold’s comments about his squad were “completely unnecessary and generally outrageous”.
“As sporting teams, we’re used to criticisms,” Sermanni said, “but sometimes the comments cross the line and that one certainly did cross the line.
“It was firstly completely unnecessary and generally outrageous. And you know, it’s something that just from a behavioural perspective is really, very, very disappointing.
Australia’s Caitlin Foord (centre) before the SheBelieves Cup match against the US on Monday.Credit: Getty Images
“Our team is obviously a very high-profile team, and being a very high-profile team you do take criticism, and you do create criticism sometimes very near the edge. But sometimes that just goes over the edge, and those comments did that.”
On Sheargold’s Monday show, the Matildas were a topic of discussion following defeats to Japan and the United States in the invitational tournament. “So we’re playing in the SheBelieves Cup,” one of Sheargold’s co-hosts said.
Sheargold replied: “Oh she believes in what? It better be men.”
An excerpt from the show was posted on social media by Hockeyroo Ambrosia Malone, who wrote: “I heard this on the radio yesterday in prime time … 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.”
Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler commented on Malone’s Instagram post, writing, “Sport is for everyone and these views are for no one”, and added a vomit emoji.
Alex Chidiac, a member of the Matildas’ 2023 World Cup squad, wrote: “So sick of this shit.”
Triple M posted a statement on their Instagram account on Wednesday morning apologising for Sheargold’s remarks and distancing the station from his views.
“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,” the statement read. “We sincerely apologise for any offence or distress caused.”
It also included a statement from Sheargold that read: “Any comedy including mine can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence at my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise.”
Soccer’s governing body, Football Australia, condemned Sheargold’s comments on Wednesday.
“Such remarks not only diminish the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our women’s national football team but also fail to recognise the profound impact they have had on Australian sport and society.
“While we acknowledge the apologies issued by both Triple M and Marty Sheargold, this incident is a stark reminder of the responsibility media outlets and personalities … every comment, every report, and every discussion shape public perception and reinforces our society’s values toward women and girls in sport.”
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