L'Équipe TV host suspended for criticizing Belgian national team player Jérémy Doku
Kyiv • UNN
France Pierron called the Belgian national team player's decision to be present at his wife's childbirth "disgusting." L'Equipe suspended the journalist, stating that her words do not align with the publication's values.
L'Equipe journalist France Pierron was suspended from work after criticizing Belgian national team and English "Manchester City" footballer Jeremy Doku, who would like to leave the team's camp at the 2026 World Cup to be present at his wife's childbirth, reports UNN.
Details
In mid-June, Jeremy Doku said that his wife Shirin will give birth to a child in the second week of July, when the tournament reaches the quarterfinal stage, and if Belgium is still participating, he wants to be present at the birth.
It depends on when it happens, but this is my first child, so I would definitely like to be there. If you ask me what I want, my answer would be: no one wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also know that football involves many other considerations. I know that the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We'll see what we can do
On Friday, L'Equipe channel host France Pierron in one of the broadcasts called the Belgian winger's decision "disgusting," stating that during childbirth "there is no use from the father anyway."
It just outrages me. When you get such luck - to play at the World Cup... Hundreds of footballers would kill to be in your place. This is a unique moment, the fulfillment of a childhood dream. And you are going to throw it all away just to be at the childbirth? Excuse me, but the father is not needed there at all. He is there just as an extra - to hold a hand and take a photo. You are going to fly 10 hours by plane, exhaust yourself, take all this to heart... how can you even return to the field after that? And the child is not going anywhere from you
Later, the journalist wrote on social network "X" that she was only expressing a personal opinion, adding that "her intention was never to diminish the place or role of fathers next to their partner and their child."
In its statement, the publication stated: "L'Équipe" distances itself from these statements, which absolutely do not correspond to the values of the group, and apologizes to the respective footballer, as well as, in general, to its audience."
Today, journalist Clement Garin reported that the channel's management took strict measures against Pierron, suspending her from work.
Addendum
The Belgian national team started the World Cup on June 15 with a match against Egypt, which ended in a draw - 1:1.
On June 21, Belgium played a goalless draw with Iran, and after two rounds occupies third place in Group G.
In the match against Egypt, Doku spent 86 minutes on the field, where he made one shot on goal. In the match against Iran, he was absent from the team's squad due to illness.
Reminder
The Spanish national team achieved its first victory at the 2026 World Cup, defeating Saudi Arabia 4:0. Lamine Yamal scored the first goal of the mundial, and Mikel Oyarzabal scored a brace.