Football Australia Condemns Radio Host for Comments on Matildas

Football Australia slams misogynistic comments about Matildas

Football Australia has come down hard on recent comments made by Triple M radio host Marty Sheargold about Australia's beloved national women's soccer team, known as the Matildas. These remarks, widely viewed as misogynistic, have sparked a significant backlash and highlighted ongoing issues with respect and equality in sports media.

On Wednesday, February 26th, Australia's soccer governing body released a statement expressing its "deep disappointment" over Sheargold's remarks, which were seen as disrespectful and dismissive towards the Matildas' incredible achievements. The comments drew swift reactions from both the media outlet and Football Australia. 

Football Australia's strong words

In their statement, Football Australia emphasized how important it is to recognize what the Matildas have achieved and their impact on Australian sports and society. They pointed out, "Remarks like these not only belittle our women's national football team's extraordinary achievements but fail to acknowledge their significant impact on Australian sport and society as a whole."

The organization also highlighted how essential it is for female athletes to receive fair media coverage. "Every female athlete deserves to be covered with the same respect and professionalism given to their male counterparts," they noted. 

Although Football Australia accepted apologies from Triple M and Marty Sheargold, they didn't hold back on stressing the media's critical role in encouraging positive discussions about women and sports. "While we acknowledge Triple M and Marty Sheargold's apologies, this incident starkly reminds us of the responsibility media outlets and personalities have to foster respectful and constructive conversations about women in sport," they concluded. 

Public outcry and key voices

Former Hockeyroo Rosie Malone played a key part in shedding light on the issue by sharing a clip of Sheargold's comments on Instagram. Malone couldn't hide her disbelief and concern, especially for young girls who might have heard the offensive remarks. "I heard this on the radio yesterday during prime time (5:30 PM) on my way to training, and all I could think about was the young girls sitting in the car with their parents, possibly on their way to or from their own training sessions hearing this," she said, clearly shocked and worried.

Members of the Matildas team didn't stay silent either. Alex Chidiac admitted she was "so sick of this s***," and another player, Wheeler, emphasized that "sport is for everyone and these views are for no one." Public opinion largely sided with the Matildas, with many criticizing Sheargold's comments.

The controversial statements

But what exactly did Marty Sheargold say? On his Triple M Drive show on Monday, February 24th, Sheargold made several crude remarks about the Matildas, saying he'd "rather hammer a nail through the head of [his] penis" than watch them play in the upcoming Asian Cup. He went on to trivialize the athletes by comparing them to "year 10 girls" and questioned the worth of women's sports, asking, "got any men's sport?" during a segment on the SheBelieves Cup.

Since then, Sheargold has apologized, admitting his attempt at humor missed the mark. "Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people might have taken offense at my comments about the Matildas. I sincerely apologize," he said.

Triple M also issued an apology, stressing that Sheargold's comments "do not align with Triple M's views and values," while reaffirming their support for both women's and men's sports. "We sincerely apologize for any offense or distress caused," they stated.

The road ahead

This incident shines a light on the continuous challenges female athletes face in fighting for equal respect and recognition in sports. It also underscores the media's vital role in shaping how society views women in sports. Every comment and story can influence public perception and treatment of female athletes.

Despite these distractions, it's clear the Matildas are staying focused on their upcoming match against Colombia on Thursday, February 27th, at 11:37 AM AEDT during the SheBelieves Cup. The team remains a source of inspiration and pride for many Australians, eager to catch the game on Paramount+. Go Matildas!