Martin Devlin offside over rant

Martin Devlin. Photo / Supplied

Top sportspeople are outraged at broadcaster Martin Devlin for a morning radio rant.

Devlin poked fun at sportswomen while talking to Marcus Lush on RadioLive.

Of female soccer players, he said on Thursday: "Their goalkeepers basically dive after the ball's in the net."

Female boxers featured on the hit-list. "There's nothing I like more than two heavyweights banging each other stupid. But when it comes to two girls doing that, I find it really weird."

Devlin also hit out at female cricketers."I don't like women playing cricket because the thing I love about cricket is the power."

Netball copped a Devlin hammering too: "I don't like netball because it's not a sport. It's whistle-pass."

Hayley Holt, a champion snowboarder now training for a boxing bout, suggested Devlin step in the ring before passing judgement.

Former All Black captain Buck Shelford said it was senseless to malign sportswomen.

"Women support us when we're playing - and we should support them as well when they're playing their sport."

Former Silver Fern Margaret Foster said the comments were inappropriate. "Is he delusional?" she asked.

Foster said it was foolish to ignore the achievements of sportswomen such as Holt and Valerie Adams.

She said Devlin would "catch a hiding" if he ever stepped into the ring with Adams.

Asked for comment, Devlin sent an obscene text message.