French sports presenter France Pierron has apologized after she criticized Belgium national team winger Jérémy Doku for announcing plans to skip some 2026 FIFA World Cup games to be there for the birth of his first child.
As reported by The Independent, Pierron, who works for the French network Channel L’Equipe, made it clear she didn’t support his decision to priotize his family. “There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life,” she wrote in a since-removed post on social media. “You’re living out a childhood dream, yet you’re going to walk away from it all to attend the birth of your child—a disgusting moment, if you’ll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless. There are guys who took out loans just to see the match, and you're not going—all just to cut an umbilical cord."
On air, she made further comments about Doku’s decision, suggesting that the 24-year-old might not have another opportunity to play in the World Cup. "The father serves no purpose. He is an extra. He just holds your hand and takes a photo," she said. "The baby will always be there."
L’Equipe has since apologized for Pierron’s comments and stressed that what she said does not reflect the values of the network.
Pierron also posted an apology on X on June 20, describing her remarks as "a personal opinion, within the context of a contentious exchange.”
"I understand that they may have shocked, hurt, or wounded some of you, and I am sorry for that,” she continued. “My intention has never been to minimise the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child."
Pierron’s comments have been widely condemned, including by England forward Ollie Watkins. "Someone labeled it disgusting. And I think for a start that's not a way to label a birth," he said at a press conference, per BBC. "I've seen what my wife had to go through and that was quite smooth sailing but I know family members and friends that haven't had it that way. It only happens once—welcoming your first child to the world—and it is a blessing.”
Doku, 24, who plays for Manchester City and the Belgian national team, made it evident that he would put his family first. "Nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child," he told reporters, per Reuters. "But I also know that football involves many other considerations. I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations."
Doku's wife Shireen is due to give birth in the second week of July, which coincides with the World Cup quarter-final window scheduled for July 9-11.
