French TV presenter suspended after calling childbirth 'disgusting' and fathers 'useless' in attack on Belgium's Jérémy Doku
France Pierron, host of L'Équipe de choc, was taken off air Monday after saying on Friday that Belgian striker Jérémy Doku should not leave the World Cup for the birth of his child, calling the event 'disgusting' and dads 'useless'.
Doku's family-first choice
Jérémy Doku, the 24-year-old Belgian forward, had announced he would leave the national team during the World Cup if his partner Shireen went into labour with their first child. The birth is expected in early July, right as the tournament's knockout phase begins. Doku told DHnet that "no father would want to miss that," but acknowledged the tension between personal life and representing his country.
It's my first child, so I'd really want to be there. No dad would want to miss that. But there's football and the whole world is watching. I know the federation is attentive and we'll see what we can do.
Pierron's remarks ignite backlash
On Friday 19 June, during the daily talk show L'Équipe de choc on the French sports channel L'Équipe, presenter France Pierron reacted with visible anger. She argued that a World Cup is a childhood dream and an opportunity that may never come again.
You're going to leave all that to attend the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, sorry, where the dad is useless, he's a mere extra.
The remarks drew immediate criticism online and on air. Former boxer Brahim Asloum, one of the programme's pundits, cut in: "What do you mean you're useless? Who does the encouraging?" Within hours, social media was flooded with accusations that Pierron held outdated views on fatherhood.
L'Équipe distances itself, presenter suspended
On Saturday, Pierron apologised on X, saying she was "sorry" if her personal opinion had "shocked, hurt or offended" and that she never intended to diminish the role of fathers. On Sunday, the L'Équipe group issued a statement "disassociating itself from these remarks, which are far removed from the group's values, and apologising to the footballer in question and, more generally, to its audience." It also reaffirmed its commitment to fighting cyberbullying, condemning any violence or threats towards Pierron, who had been subjected to a wave of online abuse.
On Monday morning, the channel confirmed that Pierron would not present that day's edition of L'Équipe de choc. Colleague Pierre Bouby stepped in as replacement. Internal sources, cited by 20 Minutes, described the measure as a temporary removal from the air for the Monday show, not an indefinite suspension.
- France Pierron makes remarks on L'Équipe de choc criticising Doku's plan to leave the World Cup for his child's birth.
- Pierron apologises on X, saying her intent was not to diminish fathers' role.
- L'Équipe group issues a statement distancing itself from Pierron's comments and apologising to Doku and the audience.
- Pierron is pulled from Monday's show; colleague Pierre Bouby presents instead.
A debate about free speech
The suspension itself sparked a secondary backlash, with many viewers and commentators arguing it was an excessive sanction for an opinion expressed during a debate programme. Comedian and RMC host Pierre-Antoine Damecour wrote on X that the channel was "hammering the nail in" after thousands of insults had already punished Pierron.
Long live freedom of speech, even to say crap.
Meanwhile, English striker Ollie Watkins, a Premier League colleague of Doku, voiced support for the Belgian's decision. "Someone called it disgusting. And I think, first of all, that's not a way to describe a birth. Besides, I don't think it's anyone's business what he does after training," Watkins said. "Welcoming your own child into the world is a blessing."
