Actions Speak Louder Than Words. Time to Focus on Playing Again.

It is fair to say that like this writer there were many in Australia who had never heard of Marty Sheargold before Tuesday of this week. He is apparently an actor, a stand up comedian and, – or was – a radio broadcaster.

On Tuesday morning an emailed Media Statement came through from Football Australia, where the headline announced that they were condemning inappropriate remarks, and calling for responsible commentary on women’s sport.

The opening line of the media statement read as follows, “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.

So no doubt like many we went in search of the comments, having prior to this statement been oblivious of what some Melbourne-based radio presenter had said to require such a statement to be sent out.

Sheargold’s rant had apparently come during a news bulletin about the Matildas’ recent defeats in the SheBelieves Cup in the USA on Triple M radio station.

The comment that has caused the presenter to lose his job has been reported as being,”There’s something wrong with the Matildas. They had that wonderful tournament out here where we all fell in love with them, even though they didn’t make the quarters,” he said of the Matildas’ 2023 World Cup campaign, where they actually made the semi-finals.

“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 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.”

He then had a go at the Shebelieves Cup, saying, “she believes in what? It better be men”. He went on to say in relation to Australia hosting the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup that he “would rather hammer a nail through the head of [his] penis” than watch them play in next year’s tournament..Sheargold finished off by asking “got any men’s sport?”

He has claimed in his apology that this was an attempt at comedy, and that it missed the mark. If that is true, it is a very poor attempt at comedy. It would appear to be a man being vulgar to try and get a laugh, and failing miserably. Yet having inquired as to his style of humour, apparently this is the norm, as well as going very close to the line of what is deemed acceptable. No doubt Triple M knew this when they employed him. It would appear they liked the ‘shock jock’ style and believed it would attract listeners, so has he a right to feel disappointed that they have not stood by him?

The one crucial question that needs to be asked is whether he is entitled to his opinion on the team?

Not the Footy Show by asking this is not condoning or agreeing with what he said, or how it was said, but like it or not everyone is entitled to have an opinion. What he does have though, if he wishes to air that opinion publicly, is a responsibility as to how he shares that view with the public. (Why Support For Gary Lineker is So Important).

The radio studio is not similar to three people sitting on bar stools in a pub, and someone eavesdropping. It is a place of work, where far more people choose to tune in and listen to your conversation. Although, if this is the tone of his regular contributions one wonders why people would tune in!

Sheargold has been called ‘a misogynist.’ He may well be one. However, this comment hardly confirms that. He simply said in a vulgar way that he would not be watching the Matildas. Possibly his “got any men’s sport” could be deemed sexist.

Was this comment regarding men’s sport misogynistic? Could his comment be explained as being borne of his frustration with the Matildas since the 2023 World Cup? Their performances or the stories that have run about them?

A dislike of women’s sport does not make a male a misogynist, a word that is regrettably being thrown around far too liberally by those pushing women’s sport. It is not proof that they “dislike, despise, or are strongly prejudiced against women.”

If someone says they do not like Chinese food does that make them a racist? Saying he does not wish to watch the Matildas is not proof that he hates women.

The truth is there are plenty of people who are frustrated with the form of the Matildas. There are even some long-term football followers who are questioning the actual tournament, and comparing it to the 2002 FIFA Men’s World Cup where once again there were joint hosts. Here there was also a surprise when one of those hosts South Korea made it to the semi-final.

Next year will be only the second time that the FIFA Men’s World Cup is co-hosted with Canada, the United States of America and Mexico as joint hosts. Even though FIFA stated that they would never again have co-hosts. In 2023 it was the first time that the FIFA Women’s World Cup had joint hosts.

In 2002 South Korea progressed to the semi-final and had famous victories over Italy and Spain. The conspiracy theorists believe the powers that be wanted Italy out. The fact that they had five goals disallowed in three matches added fuel to that fire. This World Cup is frequently looked back with a large amount of scepticism. There was no video assisted referee in 2002, and one feels had there been the results may have changed.

Equally in 2023 there were some strange results within the tournament, that still have a few people raising eyebrows. How important was it to have one of the host nations progress in the tournament? Let us not forget that South Africa was the first host in any FIFA World Cup finals not to make it out of the group stage. They did not lose their opening match drawing 1-1 with Mexico, who thought they had taken the lead in the 38th minute only to see what appeared a legitimate goal ruled out for offside. How importnat was it for the hosts not to lose that first game?

Qatar whose World Cup hosting bid was, and always will be linked to corruption, became the first ever host nation to not register a point in a World Cup finals. There was no great surprise in that.

In the Women’s FIFA World Cup no host has – apart from New Zealand who were a joint host in 2023 – ever gone out at the group stage. Had Australia lost against their higher ranked opponent Canada in their last pool game, it would have seen both host nations eliminated. Luckily Canada didn’t turn up that day and Australia cruised to a 4-0 win.

The FIFA World Cup has historically been littered with questionable moments, and with the state of World Football at the present time where financial results are more important than match results, it is conceivable that there will be more.

What is interesting is that during this whole furore over the comments that went to air how little coverage the advert promoting the SheBelieves Cup by the Americans has been given.

In the advert that ran before the game between the United States of America and Australia the voiceover said “Australia and soccer, no, you guys don’t know soccer. The US national team? Yeah, we’re a bit of a big deal. Four World Cups. Five Olympic gold medals. And against the Matildas, when did you guys last beat us? It’s been a minute. I mean, the US has history. Heard of Alex Morgan. Who are the Australian soccer equivalents? Oh, there’s Mary at Manchester City.”

“Wow, that’s some firepower. You made the semifinals of the World Cup, really? I don’t remember how the USA went in that tourney (out in round 16). OK, maybe you do you know soccer a little bit. Let’s see what you’ve got. Bring it on.”

This may have been a promotional clip for the game, but once again there appears to be an underlying message coming from the USA Women’s National Team or their broadcaster Paramount, which implies that the Matildas have got ahead of themselves in where they are as a team and where they currently stand, despite the fervent support in Australia.

Some would argue that these comments were more disrespectful that those aired on the radio. It could also be argued that they were more damaging as here was the number one ranked team in the world having a dig at the Matildas.

However, as Paramount Plus football host Niav Owens was quoted as saying in response to the advert, “You know what, they’ve earned those bragging rights the USA.”

While some are trying to make this about women’s sport and a disrespect for it, does that argument really hold up? Is this really what one person tried to claim, an example of “deeply rooted misogyny?”

The Australian women’s cricketers are world champions, yet rarely do you hear negative stories about them. The Australian Women’s Sevens rugby team have won Olympic gold and also the Sevens World championship, again very little if any negative press. The Australian Netball team have again won World titles and been dominant in their field, yet very little negative publicity. Men and women celebrate their success and are proud of their achievements. We celebrate them as a nation.

So is this really about Women’s sport? Or is it about one particular team? Has the team, as the Americans implied, been getting a little ahead of themselves without achieving the results? One wonders how some of the other female athletes and sports honestly feel in this regard, although few if any are likely to speak publicly on the issue.

Since their World Cup loss in the semi finals to England, and the subsequent loss to Sweden in the 3rd place play off the Matildas have played 21 matches. They have won 9 Lost 10 and drawn two. Three of those defeats have come against Canada, which has made some look closer at the group game at the World Cup, and ask what went wrong with Canada that day?

Only one of those victories have been against teams ranked higher than them in the FIFA World Rankings, that was against Germany in a friendly (2-1) in October 2024. A team that had beaten them when it mattered at the Olympic Games 3-0.

Australia’s ranking of 15 did not change in December 2024. Their victories, excluding the one over Germany, have come against China who were the closest to them ranked at 18th, Switzerland were 25th, and Mexico who were 30th. Three wins came against Chinese Taipei who are currently ranked 42nd, one against the Phillipines now ranked 41, Uzbekistan who are now ranked 51st and Iran 67th. Games that a top team is expected to win. Certainly games one would expect the Matildas to win.

So criticism of the team’s form is in well founded. It is a fact. ‘Results don’t lie’ is a cliche frequently used in sport, as is, ‘you are only as good as your last game.’ What relevance does that World Cup run have now? None, It is history. That was 18 months ago, which is a lifetime in sport. So the sooner Australia moves on from it the better it will be for the playing group as they look to rebuild; something the former coach failed to do.

It is a real concern that the team is struggling to find consistent form, and when you hear rumours of an alleged split within the playing squad, and players not being happy in such an environment, one starts to wonder if the alleged rumours are in fact true. Why do we rarely hear such rumours from our other top women’s teams?

Of course Football Australia will vehemently protect their brand, as they have invested so much into the Matildas. Could this be the reason for the Media Statement? Or could it have been aimed to deflect from their performances and the fact that they still haven’t found a coach despite Tony Gustavsson leaving in August last year?

Some would say that their whole marketing campaign for football is built around the Women’s national team. Certainly they are hoping for a repeat of the public support that was witnessed at the World Cup when they host the Asian Cup next year.

This was something that they stressed when the put out the media statement about Mr Sheargold, and stated, “The CommBank Matildas have inspired a new generation of Australians from young boys and girls to men and women who now see a future for themselves in football and sport more broadly. They have broken barriers, set new standards, and elevated the game to unprecedented heights.”

Many have questioned whether it was prudent to put out such a statement as a national body. Once again this will come down to everyone’ personal opinion.

With hindsight they may have been wiser to have left out the following part of the statement, “It is imperative that all media outlets and commentators uphold a standard of respect that reflects the immense contribution of the CommBank Matildas and all female athletes to our sporting culture and Australian story. All female athletes deserve to be covered with the same level of professionalism and respect afforded to their male counterparts.”

After over 35 years in the media, experience has shown this writer that very few outlets appreciate organisations trying to dictate how they do their job. True media professionals will certainly take offence at being lumped in with an actor/comedian working as a radio host.

Football Australia need to keep the media on their side especially with the Women’s Asian Cup next year being hosted by them. This comment would appear to tar all media with the same brush. Which is grossly unfair, and exceptionally foolish.

Secondly, it has in fact put the spotlight back on Football Australia. They talk about upholding standards of respect, but they have remained muted in relation to the behaviour of the player still referred to as captain on the Matildas, around whom so much marketing was based, Sam Kerr and her ugly drunken tirade. (They Think It’s All Over…)One would think that people in glass houses should not throw stones.

Where was the upholding of respect in this matter from Football Australia, remembering that those who play for our country when they walk out on the pitch are representing the nation and all who live here? To captain the country comes with even more responsibility to represent us properly.

Sadly, today people are happy to throw words and opinions about, but we need to be careful how we react. Ask those who have suffered censorship in their lifetime and the impact that such restrictions can have, but equally it is important to remember that those freedoms come with a responsibility. A lesson that Mr Sheargold has learnt.