Marty Sheargold axed from Triple M after Matildas comments
Radio host Marty Sheargold has been axed by Triple M after "disgusting" comments made regarding the Matildas and women's sport.
The network confirmed that Sheargold had been let go, as Southern Cross Austereo chief content officer Dave Cameron said in a statement, "Triple M and Marty Sheargold have mutually agreed to part ways."
"SCA 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 will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff. Triple M acknowledges Marty's contribution over the past four years, and we wish him well for the future."
After the announcement was made about Sheargold's position at Triple M, he issued his own statement to apologise for the offence he had caused.
"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."
Sheargold's rant prompted many to speak out in defence of the Matildas and women's sport in general, with respected Channel 7 sports presenter Mel McLaughlin finishing her sports news segment on Wednesday evening with her thoughts on the situation.
“Just a word on the bizarre, pathetic, and embarrassing comments we heard earlier regarding our mighty Matildas,” McLaughlin said on Seven.
“They obviously do not represent how any of us feel, and hopefully all the girls and boys out there know that.”
“This is by no means a backward step on how far we’ve come and women’s football, and women’s sport in general, as we know guys, is awesome.”
Matildas coach Tom Sermanni was also among those to scold Sheargold, as he said, "As sporting teams, we're used to criticisms – 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."
"For me, it's not so much about sexism and misogyny, in a sense – although that's unacceptable, let me make that clear. It's kind of what the comments were."
Image credits: Triple M