Controversial British television personality Piers Morgan was delighted when Australia was knocked out of the Women’s World Cup – and now he has blasted plans for a Matildas statue.

Australia has been swept up in Matildas fever for the last month, with the side making history after becoming the first Australian national soccer team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.

On Sunday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the Matildas will be getting a statue at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium to mark their achievements at the tournament.

‘We’re going to increase the legacy funding for women’s football including upgrades to major venues where football is played across Queensland,’ she said.

‘But wait there’s one more thing. As a lasting tribute to 2023 Matildas we will build a statue at Suncorp Stadium.

Piers Morgan has said plans for a Matildas statue in Brisbane amount to giving the team a ‘participation trophy’ for finishing fourth

Morgan asked if the idea was a joke – and many football fans shared his point of view

‘There are plenty (of statues) there, celebrating our male sporting champions, it’s time we celebrated women as well… you deserve your place amongst the greatest.’

Morgan, who fired shots at the Aussies throughout the World Cup, retweeted the statue announcement on Tuesday and shared his own views on the matter. 

‘A statue for coming 4th? Is this a joke?’ he wrote.

Former Aussie NBA star Andrew Bogut also took to Twitter about the plans for a statue.

‘Matildas did well… Statue? No. A Gold/First Place is a statue and over the top celebration worthy achievement,’ he wrote.

‘Anything below is good, have a celebration or two, then move on. This goes for all Sports btw. A for effort, N for No statue.’

Tennis star Nick Kyrgios responded to Bogut’s post, writing: ‘Agree. Great effort! Statue for fourth is nuts but they had us all on the edge of our seats! Next time.’

A statue for coming 4th?
Is this a joke? 🤣🤣 https://t.co/F5Yaln2xYn

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan)

Andrew Bogut and Nick Kyrgios also agreed that a statue for finishing fourth was over the top (pictured, Matildas celebrate the penalty shootout win over France)

Sky News Australia host Laura Jays responded to Morgan, explaining what a ‘big deal’ the Matildas were in Australia.

Morgan wasn’t convinced, though, responding: ‘Never had you down as a participation prize fan…’

Plenty of commenters supported Morgan’s position on the matter, arguing that it belittles the players after they failed to finish in the top three.

‘The irony is in how patronising this move actually is,’ replied one user.

‘When you’re woke that’s what you do. Reward mediocrity,’ said another.

‘How about a statue honouring our world champion netball diamonds who actually won their word cup for the 12th time. Since when does finishing 4th get you statue,’ commented a third.

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Piers Morgan blasts plan to create a Matildas World Cup statue as a ‘joke’ and a ‘participation trophy’ – and two Aussie sports superstars agree with him

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