By Frances Howe
Radio host Marty Sheargold has apologised for comments made about the Matildas on his radio show on Monday in which he said he would rather “hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch” women’s soccer.
He then asked, “Got any men’s sport?”
Triple M’s Marty Sheargold.
Earlier in the broadcast, Sheargold, who was joined by co-hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralson, 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.”
Following the Matildas 2-1 loss to the US on Monday and their 4-0 loss to Japan last week in the SheBelieves Cup, the radio presenters discussed the invitational tournament: “So we’re playing in the SheBelieves Cup,” one of his co-hosts said.
Sheargold replied, “Oh she believes in what? It better be men.”
An excerpt from the show was posted on TikTok and Instagram 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 saying, “Sport is for everyone and these views are for no one,” and added a vomit emoji.
Alex Chidiac, who was also part of the Matildas 2023 World Cup squad, wrote “so sick of this shit”.
A statement from Triple M was posted on their Instagram on Monday morning stating: “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. We sincerely apologise for any offence or distress caused.”
Ellie Carpenter in the Matildas’ first match of the SheBelieves Cup last week.Credit: Getty Images
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.”
Comments on Triple M’s social media pages have been turned off.
