As society continues to change, we have seen significant strides towards gender equality and respect in sport.

However, there are still instances that remind us that we still have a long way to go.

A radio host's recent remark was a stark example of this ongoing battle against sexism, particularly in women's sport.


Triple M radio host Marty Sheargold went under fire for his derogatory comments about the Australian women's national soccer team, the Matildas.

The Matildas recently played in the SheBelieves Cup, an invitational football tournament with teams all over the world.

The Matildas, who have captured the hearts of sports fans across the nation with their skill and determination, were subjected to Sheargold's belittling comparison.


'There's something wrong with the Matildas,' Sheargold prefaced.

'You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls.'

'All the infighting and all the friendship issues, "The coach hates me, and I hate b***** training and Michelle's being a b****,"' Sheargold continued.

Yet, his comments did not stop there.


While his co-hosts continued steering the topic back to the sport, Sheargold continued to make crude remarks.

'Now I'm sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that's what I think of it, so you can stick it up your a***,' he stated.

Sheargold went on to make a crude joke about Aussie football athlete Sam Kerr and her partner, Kristie Mewis.

'Oh, do they play the same position?' Sheargold asked.

As his co-hosts eventually discussed the Women's Asian Cup next year, he left another questionable remark about the sport.

'Oh god, the Asian Cup. I'd rather hammer a nail through the head of my p**** than watch that.'

'Got any men's sport?' Sheargold asked in conclusion.


His remarks were made live on The Marty Sheargold Show and sparked outrage among listeners, athletes, and the sport community.

Social media users condemned Sheargold's outburst on the broadcast.

'Disgusting. Sheargold is a piece of s*** and should be sacked,' a comment read.

'"Sorry you took offence at my poor attempt at comedy" is not an apology,' another comment stated.

'It is disgraceful that Triple M still employs Marty Sheargold after his misogynistic rant.'

'His sexist and homophobia shouldn't be allowed airtime in 2025,' a third said.


Public figures and female athletes also weighed in on the situation.

Olympic hockey player Rosie Malone expressed her disbelief and concern for the young girls who might have heard Sheargold's comments.

'I honestly don't know what is wrong with the world,' she said in a video posted online.

'I heard this on the radio yesterday 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 training sessions, hearing this.'

'I'm sure many of them would have been hurt and confused.'

As his statement received backlash, Sheargold immediately apologised online.

'Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes. I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas,' Sheargold stated.

'I sincerely apologise.'


Triple M also issued an apology and stated that Sheargold's comments did not align with their values.

However, many Triple M listeners still believed that the station should have axed Sheargold.

This incident was a stark reminder of the sexism that still permeates society.

It also underscored the importance of standing up against such behaviour from public figures.

The Matildas, like any other Aussie athletes and teams, deserve to be celebrated for their achievements and treated with the same respect as their male counterparts.
Have you encountered similar instances of sexism or rude behaviour in your life? How can we combat this toxic behaviour and create a more inclusive community? Your insights are valuable, so please share your thoughts about this issue in the comments below.