What's New
BY RadioToday Network June 17, 2026
What's New February 26, 2025
Triple M’s Marty Sheargold offers public apology over comments on women’s sport
Reporter
Triple M and Marty Sheargold have issued a public apology, after the radio host was blasted over comments about the Matildas which shocked the sporting community and triggered a social media backlash.
Australian Olympic greats were among those to express their disgust, as Sheargold unloaded on women’s sport during a news segment on his Triple M show about our women’s national football team.
@whatwereyouwearingaus #duet with @Rosie.malone #matildas #matildaschallange #martysheargold #triplem #soccer
The offending clip was posted by Hockeyroo player Rosie Malone who said “I honestly don’t know what is wrong with the world … I heard this on the radio yesterday in prime time (5.30pm) 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,’’ Malone wrote on Instagram.
“I’m sure many of them would have been hurt and confused… I was in disbelief. This is apparently acceptable on mainstream afternoon radio?? HOW??”
Olympic swimming great Libby Trickett also commented “I’m livid. It’s 2025 and this isn’t funny.”
Sheargold has since said “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.”
In its statement, Triple M said “Marty Sheargold’s comments regarding the Matildas made on Triple M Drive on Monday 24th 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.”
Earlier today, former Australian Olympic swimmer Leisel Jones became emotional when responding to Sheargold’s comments, while co-hosting Triple M Breakfast on the Gold Coast.
Jones admitted to listeners she found it hard to front up for work this morning.
“The comments are so hurtful against women’s sport that The Marty Sheargold Show shared. Obviously I’ve been quite upset all morning, and I was upset when I came in. I’ve been on and off the show all morning.”
“It’s a very tricky position to be put in when Triple M is my place of employment, and obviously I love working on the show and I find it incredibly challenging to be put in a position where I become the unofficial spokesperson for women in sport.”
“Obviously, everyone would know I was a woman in sport. I’ve competed at the top level for women in sport and I am one of the biggest supporters. And when I woke up this morning and I came to work, I was bombarded with messages of why I wasn’t responding, why I didn’t say anything on social media.”
“And I think a lot of people need to understand that it’s very hard when you’re in this position to say the things that you would really like to say. I would love to say all of these things. I have so many things inside that I would love to say I am the biggest supporter of women in sport.”
Speaking directly to the young boys and girls who might have heard Sheargold’s comments, Jones’ voice broke as she said “Please know that you are welcome to play sport … Sorry, I’m upset.”
Football Australia has released a statement, condemning comments:
“Football Australia is deeply disappointed by the unacceptable comments made by Marty Sheargold on Triple M regarding the CommBank Matildas. Such remarks not only diminish the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our women’s national football team but also fail to recognise the profound impact they have had on Australian sport and society.”
“This incident is a stark reminder of the responsibility media outlets and personalities have in fostering respectful and constructive discussions about women’s sport and its participants. Every comment, every report, and every discussion shape public perception and reinforces our society’s values toward women and girls in sport.”
Football Australia also said it appreciates the swift response from Southern Cross Austereo and Sheargold to apologise.
Sheargold returned to the airwaves late last year in a later timeslot, after stepping away from his Triple M Melbourne Breakfast show to prioritise self-care.
Related news
What's New
BY Sarah Patterson June 17, 2026
Triple M media reward after not much success that Marty had in Melbourne will not have much success in Sydney or Brisbane.
Seriously!? …and no one complaining about Kyle&JackieO show who have “Marty Sheargold moment” almost every show?!!!!
Disappointing is an understatement here.
It is a ‘sorry you were offended’ not a ‘sorry for what I said’.
Much less of an apology, and much more of a cop-out. Either apologise for what you said, or don’t say anything, don’t throw out half-hearted “learn how to take a joke” statements.
Like a seed without water, Women’s sport will not develop into a higher quality product if it is not given support and given the environment to grow. Like a seed, water can only do so much when there are people digging their heel into it. What would encourage growth more? a message of ‘an unfortunate result, but it’s really hard to compete with a program like team USA’s women’s soccer team, but we regroup and we continue to learn as a nation’ or what was essentially ‘give up. We suck. Women’s sport sucks. I’d rather put a nail through my *****, can we talk about some Men’s sport instead’ (the implication of Men’s sports being more ‘real’ than Women’s).
Just an appalling point of view to have in 2025, only amplified in its grossness by the mouthpiece provided to Marty. Even further exacerbated by Triple M being one of the leading voices in sports broadcast. Shocking.
If I’m going to watch a sporting event I want to see the best standard available..
If I want to watch a 4th grade sporting fixture it’s most likely because someone I know is playing in it…
Seems like misogynistic comments made my a misogynistic man, aired on a misogynistic network run by misogynistic men. Why are we surprised or commenting?
Sorry, not sorry.
An apology wasn’t needed, and we didn’t really get one.
As Marty has said, comedy is subjective. Some people found that funny, some people didn’t.
The statements by both the network and the Jock are clearly to avoid MFW style responses from sponsors, and will have no real impact on the way that he conducts himself in the future (nor should they)
Tells you how many people listen to the Marty Sheargold Show if it took a post from Rosie Malone around 12 hours after the comments went to air for people to react.
And this is what happens when triple m get rid of all of the women on air
Exactly HKN. For goodness sake. “Disgusting”, “horrendous” comments? I was waiting to be offended….still waiting. Hands up those who actually agree with Marty (pick me!). This female victim playing is really getting very, very old. Leisel Jones was so upset she “found it hard to go to work” and she’s been on and off air this morning? Please. Women were a lot stronger and stoic BEFORE all this Damsel in distress/woke rubbish. I am a female and just so over this “…because I wasn’t represented/didn’t see myself represented in the media/around me/in society” excuse for not achieving. Just roll your eyes and move on! You are not helping the female cause here.
Marty Sheargold is a disgrace! I will give MMM a miss while he is still on air.
Extraordinary achievements of our womens soccer team ! They came 4th and then nothing, thats except when Soccer Australia bring out high ranked teams to beat !
he was mucking around, having a bit of fun .. if you’re a listener of his then what he said was in no way different to what he says about heaps of stuff. out of context it’s upset some people but if the intent wasnt to hurt, what’s it matter… Jones not being able to go to work and being “on and off air all morning” is wild, what a carry on. swimming is celebrated in this country and id say women’s swimming is the highest of all recognition of women’s sports. as was the Matildas in the world cup.
Strike two triple m kept sheargold and gave bona the fick bad move guys finding it hard to remain loyal pick your game up guys bring back bona
The fact that Marty is still on air is beyond outrageous especially how he even dug Himself a hole even further after todays comment with the “heat pack”
Cancel him. He’s boring, sexist, racist and an old white man. Go away Marty. No one listens to you anyway. As other posts have pointed out, it’s 2025, so get with with the times bro.
Im just offended your all offended. If you dont like it turn off. Dont be offended just for the sake of being offended, or worse because somebody else was offended.
@Hkn Obviously you have not listened to Kyle and Jackie O for quite some time Im guessing
Hilarious??
Where’s people’s sense of humour gone? Anyone that knows Marty would know he’s harmless – grow up you precious women who want to play blokes sports
Hilarious??
Where’s people’s sense of humour gone? Anyone that knows Marty would know he’s hilarious grow up you precious women who want to play blokey sports.
Hilarious??
Where’s people’s sense of humour gone? Anyone that knows Marty would know he’s hilarious grow up you precious women who want to play blokey sports.
I used to work with Marty many years ago as a producer on a MMM show called The Shebang with him and Fifi. He was always very kind to me and we worked great together.
I’m sad to read about this today. He a comedian, sometimes their jokes can offend, but I don’t think he would have intentionally tried to hurt people.
The lefties are out in force again lol
For the people who are defending him, you just as worse as him. Being a sexist and a bully is not a “joke and free speech”
Australian female soccer team underperforms agsin!!! Stop feeding their egos
This is why commercial radio and television is dead. Everyone is tired of the woke victim culture bullshit being pushed on the world today. Comedy can hit and miss. ‘Just because you’re offended, doesn’t mean you’re right’ (Ricky Gervais). Grow up or if you don’t like it. Change the bloody channel!
Was only telling it like it is.
Maybe not the smartest thing to say, but it happened.
So sad to see how a personal opinion { correct or not } can be treated as Click Bate by the FAKE MEDIA. everybody from Politicians to rival radio stations jumping on the bandwagon calling for his head.
Rival stations just trying to get rid of competition for their gain. politicians have lied to the public, NRL players stuff up in Vegas, PLAYERS use of drugs, yes double standards alive & well in modern day Australia.
Is it any wonder the Media in this country is becoming irrelevant. also very soft Management , a straight Apology by both parities and move on.
Wont be listening again or watching that Marty ever again, no matter where he bobs up. I am turning OFF. Offensive isn’t anywhere near what he has done – and the Endometriosis comment is equally as offensive to so many men and women who have been unable to have children as a result….and then his side kick, laughing along? Grow up Australia.
Well snowflakes i agree with Marty re women’s sports – why should anyone apologise for what they think and say – one would think he committed murder the way everyone is carrying on.
I switched onto that Kyle show once only to be greeted by we are having a ‘who has the biggest penis’ competition and they are still spruiking their rubbish on air.
Has anyone ever switched on sbs 8 out of 10 cats!
Has anyone ever tuned into some of the shows they air on SBS.
I wouldn’t know Marty if i fell over him and never tuned into his station.
Racist Kerr still in business Marty is out of business.
Marty was only telling like it is.
Matildas are has beens and need to acknowledge their their world cup ” glory” is well and truly over