Matildas, Made Up Endometriosis and Misogyny: Marty Sheargold's latest 'jokes' backfire
when is enough, enough
Over the past two days, Triple M Radio Host and “comedian’ Marty Sheargold has made abhorrent, misogynistic comments about the most popular sports team in the country. He has decided to say on another podcast that endometriosis isn’t real. I have a lot to say, most of which you’ve already seen all over social media today, but I needed to turn my rage into something productive.
For those unaware, the Matildas, the Australian women's soccer team, are currently taking part in a competition called the SheBelievesCup. It has been running since 2015; it was born after the success of the US Women’s Soccer team in the World Cup. It is a round-robin tournament involving 4 teams. 2025 is the first year the Matildas have been asked to participate, alongside the United States, Japan, and Colombia.
The now viral segment began on Triple M on Monday, February 24th, 2025, with a news break. It was brought to attention by former Hockeyroo Rosie Malone. The Matildas losses to the US (2-1) and Japan (4-0) were brought up.
Marty interjected, comparing the Matildas to Year 10 girls, and I quote, “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.” There was laughter in the background, and I feel that motivated Marty to keep trying with this bit.
He continued with quips like “the She Believes Cup—she believes in what? It better be men”. His co-stars steered back to the story and made mention of the Asian Cup in 2026, and Marty declared he would rather put a “nail through the head of his penis than watch that.” He was again met with laughter and asked if there was any men’s sport to go to.
There was a mention of Sam Kerr and asking if she and Kristie play the same position. It definitely had homophobic undertones. This isn’t his first homophobic comment—during the 2023 AFL Grand Final, he mocked two SCA clients by stating that people who “eat salads at the footy are f-ggots.”
There are so many things wrong with what Marty has said; it’s hard to know how to unpack this. The comments are, quite frankly, disgusting. Alongside his misogynistic, sexist, and homophobic comments, he also decided to invalidate women’s health while he is on a roll this week.
On Tuesday, February 25th 2025, he claimed endometriosis was “not real.”. It began with Marty thanking Whitney for bringing her period heat pack because “ladies carry on it. Jesus Christ, there’s no end to it. He decided to continue with a controversial opinion about endometriosis despite being warned. “No, I am going to say it. It [endometriosis] is made up.”
It’s clear from this behaviour from Marty that he doesn’t care about the people he hurts with his so-called jokes or hot takes. It’s reached a point where I am curious about what’s funny and where the punchline is. He has taken a shot at women’s sports, a chronic health condition, and has been openly homophobic.
The Matildas are held on such a high pedestal after a magic run into the semifinals at the Women’s World Cup in 2023. It was the most watched women’s sporting event ever, with over 2 billion views globally. In Australia, the WWC still holds the number one spot for the most watched show on TV ever. Beating the NRL and AFL Grand Finals.
It feels like this dip in form has given Marty, his laughing producers (Will Ralston and Troy Ellis), and listeners a reason to tear them down. I would assume people have been waiting for a moment to take a shot. The team isn’t immune to criticism and shouldn’t be. However, making a joke about bitches, infighting, and wanting to hammer a nail into your penis isn’t the way to go about it.
My heart is broken for the young girls listening around that country who once again have to listen to women being belittled and men laughing in the background, highlighting that they agree. I hope they don’t give up on their dreams to pursue a career in sports, broadcasting, or whatever they aspire to be. I wish someone had been bold enough to intervene and put a stop to this uninformed rant.
The apology from Marty Sheargold is barely one at all. Marty’s focused on how “any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark. I apologise for any offence to the comments about Matildas.” I repeat, what was funny about it?
Triple M’s was about ‘how the comments made don’t align with Triple M’s views and values, and they remain steadfast in their support for all men’s and women’s sports.
I have men in my mentions continuing to laugh off what he said rather than being able to read an apology that showed that Triple M truly stood for Women’s Sports. It feels like a slap on the wrist. The apologies feel completely impersonal and lacking a real understanding of the impact of the comments. It feels like the next time Marty feels like being comedic, they could rinse and repeat with the same apology.
If you’d like to read Football Australia’s fantastic statement about their reaction to the comments. You can read that here:
Matildas player Clare Wheeler has shared her thoughts “football is a place for everyone. the hate shown has no place in the game and beyond”
Whereas, her teammate, Alex Chidiac has said “she is full of rage and doesn’t know what to say anymore”
It feels outrageously bold of him that after completely dragging the Matildas, he just decided to deny the existence of endometriosis the next day. I don’t have this condition, but I have seen firsthand the impact it has on those close to me. Whether it is the everyday pain that people have learned to live with, the debilitating flares that keep them in bed, the thousands spent on doctors to receive a diagnosis, or the multiple surgeries needed to relieve some of the pain. This is a chronic condition that doesn’t have a cure. I think Marty needs to sit down and read a book—I recommend How to Endo by Bridget Hustwaite. (follow at @endogram or @bridgethustwaite)
Women’s health is constantly pushed aside, and to have it completely invalidated on a national broadcaster is heartbreaking. Marty knows, works with, and relates to women who deal with endometriosis every day. It’s sad that he thought saying it was “made up” was funny. Why is the downfall of women his choice of “joke” this week? I would love to be a fly on the wall when he is explaining his behaviour to the women and girls in his life.
What is it going to take for all the broadcasting companies that hire Marty across television and radio to stop giving this man a platform? Women are so tired of constantly having to defend their existence in sport, having homophobia sprouted at them, or not being gaslit about a chronic health condition that affects 1 in 7 of us. Fantastic strides have been made for women in society, but it’s times like these where I feel like we have been placed in a time machine and ended up in 1955.
If you feel full of rage or helpless, you can file a complaint about one or both of these incidents at ACMA. Women and non-binary folk ask the men in your life to do the same. We need allies and support to make sure this is a line-in-the-sand moment.
If you’d like to show your support for the Matildas, turn on Paramount Plus on Thursday, 27th of February at 11:30am (NSW/VIC time) to watch Matildas v. Colombia for their last game of the SheBelieves Cup.
Fill up your instagram feed with those who uplift and share in the joy of Women’s Sport. Here are few of my favourites to get you started but the list is truly endless.