Comment: Why ugly Matildas rant from Triple M’s Marty Sheargold is appalling and must be called out

Radio host Marty Sheargold may have apologised for appalling comments about the Matildas and women’s sport. But there is no fine line between comedy and disrespectful comments like this, writes Erin Smith.

If you don’t have something nice to say then don’t say it all.

It is a lesson most five-year-olds know and one Triple M radio host Marty Sheargold needs to remember after his appalling comments about the Matildas and women’s sport in general.

The controversial radio host has since apologised for his comments in which he compared the national women’s team to “Year 10 girls”, then said he would “rather put a nail in his genitalia than watch women’s football” before asking for an update on men’s sports.
Late Wednesday, Triple M confirmed they have “mutually agreed to part ways” with Sheargold.

In the same rant he also questioned why so many had fallen in love with the Matildas given they didn’t even make the “quarters” at the World Cup – when in fact they made the third place playoff.

Result aside, what the Matildas achieved during the 2023 FIFA World Cup was remarkable. They took over the backpages of newspapers around the nation – daily.

The Matildas, led by captain Steph Catley, have won the hearts of home fans. Picture: Getty

It kickstarted an incredible run of 14 sold out home games – which is unprecedented for women’s sport.

They broke TV viewing records and encouraged thousands of young children to take up sport.

So while the comedian may have thought his remarks were hilarious, as did his co-hosts heard laughing in the background – the huge outcry on social media makes it clear the public did not find it funny.

There is no fine line between comedy and disrespectful comments like this.

He wasn’t poking fun at the Matildas’ performance, he didn’t criticise tactics or team selection – it was just uncalled for.

Fans flocked to watch and cheer on the Matildas during the 2023 World Cup on home soil. Picture Lachie Millard

Sure the Matildas haven’t quite performed at the level they were at during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

But there is a huge difference between ridicule and constructive criticism.

No person, ever, should be degraded – especially not for the sake of a few laughs on a radio show and certainly not because of their gender.

Everyone knows the power words can have.

Being a comedian on a radio show doesn’t give you a license to just belittle people or use offensive language – that is not comedy.

Triple M radio star Marty Sheargold has come under fire for his comments. Picture: Supplied/Triple M

Olympic hockey player Rosie Malone heard the segment while on her way to football training on the Gold Coast and was quick to call out Sheargold.

“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,” Malone wrote on her social media.

“I’m sure many of them would have been hurt and confused.”

And she is right.

Having a host on a radio station, known for its love of sports, making these snide remarks for no reason other than to garner a laugh certainly doesn’t help the cause.

By all means have a debate about the Matildas performance.

Question why they couldn’t match it against Japan or why they can’t seem to find a way to best the USA.

Coming out the next day and issuing an apology doesn’t undo the damage.

Anyone, regardless of how many people can hear it, should stop and think before they speak.

Originally published as Comment: Why ugly Matildas rant from Triple M’s Marty Sheargold is appalling and must be called out