EXCLUSIVE
Outspoken AFL legend Sam Newman has backed Marty Sheargold’s right to an opinion after the ex-radio host was sacked for comments about the Matildas which were branded ‘sexist and disgusting’.
Sheargold was axed by Triple M on Wednesday after he made remarks on his radio show on Monday following the Tillies’ 2-1 loss to the USA at the SheBelieves Cup.
Sheargold told listeners ‘there’s something wrong with the Matildas’ before comparing the team to ‘Year 10 girls’ and asking if superstar striker Sam Kerr and her fiancee Kristie Mewis ‘play the same position’.
When his co-hosts tried to continue discussing the SheBelieves Cup, Sheargold jumped in, exclaiming: ‘Oh, she believes in what? It better be men.’
The conversation then moved to Australia hosting the women’s Asian Cup next year.
‘Oh god. The Asian Cup,’ Sheargold said.
‘I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that. Got any men’s sport?’
His outburst was described as ‘outrageous’ by interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni, who was part of a chorus of criticism.
Marty Sheargold (pictured) was sacked for comments about the Matildas which were branded ‘sexist and disgusting’
Outspoken AFL legend Sam Newman (pictured) has backed Marty Sheargold’s right to express his controversial opinions about the women’s team
Sheargold was also slammed by Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells, Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler and the players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia.
Newman, a 300-game Geelong Cats legend who has been shadowed by controversy throughout his post-football media career, exclusively told Daily Mail Australia he is questioning why Sheargold was sacked.
‘I’m not sure why he would have used the perjorative terms of sticking a nail through his dick and saying you can stick it up your arse,’ Newman told the Daily Mail Australia.
‘But if that’s his opinion about it, if that’s his opinion about that particular sport, that’s his opinion.
‘I’m not defending him. I’m defending his right to have an opinion about any sport. I’ve plenty of sports that I don’t think much of, and most of them are played by men.
‘I mean, people criticise AFL football – I’ve criticised the way some sides play in AFL – I’m not sure why he’s not allowed to have an opinion that is not favourable to women’s sport and suffer this sort of backlash.
‘I don’t necessarily agree with it, and I don’t want to be coupled with it, but if that’s his opinion about women’s sport or that sport, I’m not sure why it is so, as I say perjorative or so offensive to give his opinion – particularly when no one has to take any notice of what he says.’
Newman also said Sheargold copped ‘the cancel culture of having an opinion’.
Newman also said Sheargold was a victim of cancel culture for ‘having an opinion’
Matildas players Sam Kerr (left) and Ellie Carpenter (right) celebrate a goal
Sheargold told listeners ‘there’s something wrong with the Matildas’ before comparing the team to ‘Year 10 girls’
‘It’s just that people get so defensive about all this. If that is offending those that like sport or that team, well, that’s his opinion about what he thinks of it,’ he said.
‘I’m not sure why people can’t say, “We don’t agree with it, and it’s pretty ordinary”.
‘I’m not sure why he’s not allowed to say that without being sacked.
‘It’s alright to have free speech as long as your speech agrees with what your opinion is … If you give an opinion that other people disagree with, and then it suddenly becomes untoward or hate speech, or derogatory or misogynistic.
‘I’m not sure why he can’t have that opinion and keep his job. I mean that’s a pretty strong opinion held about half the people in this country.
‘Marty, saying he’s got an opinion – he’s not saying you have to like it or agree with it. I’m not sure why it’s so offensive for him to have an opinion if you disagree with him, other than other than the wording about wanting to drive a nail in his d**k and sticking it up your arse.
‘I suppose that’s hyperbole and he’s saying that to try and be controversial.
‘I’ve made plenty of comments about sports. I had a comment about the AFL grand final. I said it was a disgrace, and the Swans should be sanctioned for the way they played.
‘I mean, about a million people had look at that view [online] and not everyone agreed with it. But that was my opinion.
Matildas players celebrate during this month’s SheBelieves Cup
Newman said he was ‘not defending’ Sheargold over the outburst that saw him get axed from his job with Triple M
‘If it’s not defending him, I’m defending his or anyone’s right to have an adverse opinion about a side that in all fairness, is probably a second-tier soccer side at this stage worldwide.
‘Look, personally, I think they [the Matildas] are fantastic – but that’s his opinion and I don’t know why he gets sacked for it.
‘One hundred percent he has right to have on view – though, I’m not sure about all the salacious nonsense [in the media] you live or die on your opinion – and he’s actually died on this on this one.’
Sheargold apologised but he was sacked by Triple M from his NSW and Queensland afternoon slot, after his Melbourne breakfast show stint proved a dismal failure.
‘Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise,’ Sheargold said in a statement.
Triple M stated it ‘mutually agreed to part ways’ with the radio star after four years of working together.
SCA’s chief content officer Dave Cameron said: ‘Triple M and Marty Sheargold have mutually agreed to part ways.
‘Southern Cross Austereo (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, and the wider SCA network, will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff.
‘A new Drive show will be announced in due course. Triple M acknowledges Marty’s contribution over the past four years, and we wish him well for the future.’
Sheargold also released a statement when his exit was made public, adding an apology to the Matildas for his ‘sexist’ remarks.
‘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.’
