The Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma) has ruled that Marty Sheargold's sexist comments about the Matildas breached decency standards on four Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) radio stations. The broadcaster lost his job in February after saying he would rather hammer a nail through his penis than watch the women's national football team play in the Asian Cup, and asking 'Got any men's sport?'.
Acma found the 'demeaning and sarcastic' remarks demonstrated a 'level of contempt and disdain for women's sport, and more generally of women'. The regulator noted that the offensive themes were exacerbated by Sheargold referring to his genitalia in a degrading comment about women's sport.
The stations—Triple M Sydney, Triple M Brisbane, Gold Coast FM and Maryborough Broadcasting Company—contravened the Commercial Radio Code of Practice. Acma member Carolyn Lidgerwood said: 'Sexist comments like this don't belong in Australian broadcasting. Even if the comments were an extremely ill-judged attempt at humour, a reasonable listener would have found them offensive.'
SCA argued the comments did not breach decency provisions, stating that harsh remarks are sometimes made when sports teams perform badly. However, Acma rejected this, noting the stations received thousands of complaints after the broadcast. The authority is considering enforcement action, which may include staff training, a formal warning or additional licence conditions.
Sheargold apologised in February, saying he fully understood the gravity of his comments. Football Australia expressed deep disappointment, stating the remarks diminished the achievements of the women's team and failed to recognise their impact on Australian sport and society.
