Interim coach Tom Sermanni says the Matildas’ poor performances are not immune from scrutiny but "outrageous" and "out of order" comments from a disgraced radio host overstepped the mark.
Radio network Triple M parted ways with Marty Sheargold on Wednesday after the host made multiple disparaging remarks about women’s sport and the Matildas, whom he compared to "Year 10 girls".
Australia play their final SheBelieves Cup match when they take on Colombia in San Diego on Thursday, having lost 4-0 to Japan and 2-1 to the US in their two games of the friendly tournament so far.
Sheargold received widespread condemnation for his remarks, which earned a rebuke from Sports Minister Annika Wells, Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler and the players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia.
Sheargold and Triple M issued apologies on Wednesday morning but by the evening, they had issued a joint statement saying the parties had "mutually agreed to part ways".
PFA chief executive Beau Busch had described the remarks as "disgusting, pathetic and deeply misogynistic”, while Football Australia lashed Sheargold’s comments in a statement.
“As sporting teams we’re used to criticism but sometimes the comments cross the line," interim Australia coach Sermanni said.
“That one certainly did cross the line; it was completely unnecessary and generally outrageous.
“It's something that from a behavioural perspective, is really very disappointing.
"The comments just crossed the line and were basically out of order and very unnecessary.
“You don’t mind (criticism). Our team is a high-profile team and being a high-profile team you take criticism and create criticism, sometimes near to the edge and sometimes it goes over the edge and those comments did that.”
Sermanni himself has not been afraid to call out underwhelming Matildas displays during this tournament.
He described their loss to Japan as “un-Australian” but was encouraged by the improvement against the Americans.
The 70-year-old coach said striker Holly McNamara, who led the line against the US, is unlikely to play against Colombia given how recently she returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
“We've got to be really careful with her," Sermanni said of the Melbourne City forward.
"She's done extraordinarily well to come in at this level and handle it the way that she has done.
“At this moment in time, it’s ideal for her not to play tomorrow (Thursday), because we need to make sure that she goes away from this tournament healthy.”
The Scot, meanwhile, said he still had no indication as to whether he would be Australia’s coach in their next international window in April.
The Matildas take on South Korea in Sydney and Newcastle.
"Nobody has tapped me in the shoulder yet, but I keep looking over it just to see if there's somebody behind me,” Sermanni said.
“At the moment, the answer is still the same as it was and nobody has told me any different.
“I’ve been trying to retire for two years. But, look, if the federation would like me to be involved in anything like I’m doing now I’d be delighted to be involved."
