French sports presenter suspended after saying father is 'useless' at childbirth
Story Timeline
3 days · 2 summary articles
French sports presenter suspended after saying father is 'useless' at childbirth
Doku sparks debate by prioritizing childbirth over World Cup duty
Continuation
France Pierron, a presenter for French sports channel *L’Équipe*, was suspended on Monday after making controversial remarks about Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku’s decision to prioritise the birth of his child over the World Cup. The group *L’Équipe* distanced itself from her comments, which sparked widespread backlash, and issued a public apology.
On Friday, Pierron stated on the programme *L’Équipe de choc* that “the father is useless during childbirth,” adding that Doku would be better off remaining at the World Cup rather than attending the birth of his child. She later apologised, calling her remarks a “personal opinion” and acknowledging they may have “shocked, hurt or offended” viewers . The suspension was confirmed on Monday, marking the latest fallout from the incident.
The French Association of Women Sports Journalists condemned Pierron’s remarks as “backward-looking,” while *L’Équipe* formally disassociated itself from her comments in a statement released on Sunday . The controversy comes as Doku, a key player for Belgium, faces a potential early exit from the tournament to be present for the birth of his child.
The incident is the second high-profile case of alleged discrimination at the 2026 World Cup. On Sunday, former Yugoslav international Rade Bogdanovic, now a television pundit for Serbia, made racially charged comments during a match between Belgium and Iran. Referring to the red card shown to Belgian defender Nathan Ngoy, Bogdanovic claimed that “Black players lack the concentration to last more than 60 minutes” . The remarks drew immediate condemnation, with critics labelling them overtly racist.
Earlier this week, a commentator for DSports in Latin America was falsely accused of using a racial slur during a broadcast. Leandro Zapponi denied the claim and shared a clip of the actual commentary, calling the incident an attempt to spread misinformation and fuel hatred .
The twin controversies underscore growing scrutiny over discriminatory language in sports media during the World Cup. While *L’Équipe* has taken swift action against Pierron, the broader debate over racial and gender stereotypes in football coverage shows no signs of abating.
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
2 further sources not geolocated
Articles
Polémique autour de Jérémy Doku : LÉquipe se désolidarise de France Pierron et présente ses excuses Le groupe LÉquipe a pris ses distances avec les propos tenus par sa journaliste France Pierron à propos de Jérémy Doku. ...
la libre · about 23 hours ago
Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft: Amiris Vater-Votum für Belgier Doku: Geburt übertrifft WM Der Belgier Doku will bei der Geburt seines Kindes dabei sein und könnte früher von der WM abreisen. Eine Moderatorin schockiert mit kritischen Aussagen. Auch ein DFB-Spieler reagiert verstört.
tagesspiegel · about 23 hours ago
France Pierron suspendue ce lundi après ses propos sur Jérémy Doku et laccouchement de sa femme La présentatrice sest excusée dans le week-end, affirmant avoir partagé un «avis personnel» et comprendre que ses propos «aient pu choquer, heurter ou blesser». Elle avait affirmé vendredi dans «lEquipe de choc» que «le papa ne sert à rien» pendant laccouchement, estimant que le joueur de foot ferait mieux de rester à la Coupe du monde.
liberation · about 23 hours ago
WM-Match vs. Geburt: Journalistin erntet Kritik für Aussagen Kritik an Belgier Doku hat für Moderatorin Konsequenzen. "LÉquipe" entschuldigte sich, Verband französischer Sportjournalistinnen nannte Aussagen "rückwärtsgewandt"
der standard · about 23 hours ago
Iowa news anchor quits on air over sanitized news leaving his co-anchor wife behind to finish the show Dustin Nolan referred to his wife, who will remain an anchor on the show, as the greatest co-anchor in life
independent · about 23 hours ago
WWE Raw from Paris, France Results: Raw Spoilers Inside
gdeltproject.org · about 23 hours ago
Cuidado con que un comentarista de DSports dijo "esta negra quién es" durante un partido del Mundial: lo ha negado y ha mostrado el "fragmento real" en el que no dice eso En tiempos de Fake News, esta gente sólo intenta hacer daño y fomentar el odio. Audios modificados por IA que no causan gracia. Es triste tener que estar aclarando que nunca dije y que nunca diría algo asi. Acá el fragmento real de la transmisión pic.twitter.com/bm7QtdTFAw— 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼 𝗭𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗶 (@leandrozapponi) June 19, 2026
maldita · about 23 hours ago
Ex-Joegoslavische international Bogdanovic doet racistische uitspraken op tv na rode kaart Rode Duivel Nathan Ngoy tegen Iran
de morgen · about 23 hours ago
Verbazing over uitblijven straf Jahanbakhsh in WK-duel met België: Ongelooflijk Leandro Trossard was zondag verbaasd over het uitblijven van een kaart voor Alireza Jahanbakhsh (0-0) tijdens België-Iran op het WK voetbal. De Belg vond dat zijn voormalige teamgenoot bij Brighton & Hove Albion rood had kunnen krijgen.
nu.nl · about 23 hours ago
«Les noirs nont pas la concentration pour tenir plus de 60 minutes» : les propos racistes de lex-joueur Rade Bogdanovic lors du match Belgique-Iran Lancien attaquant yougoslave, devenu consultant pour la télévision serbe, réagissait dimanche 21 juin au soir à lexpulsion du Belge Nathan Ngoy à la 66e minute de jeu.
liberation · about 23 hours ago
Fußball-Weltmeisterschaft: Nach Aussagen zu Belgier Doku: „LÉquipe entschuldigt sich Der Belgier Doku will bei der Geburt seines Kindes dabei sein und könnte früher von der WM abreisen. Eine Moderatorin schockiert mit Aussagen darüber - und ist erst mal weg vom TV-Schirm.
tagesspiegel · about 23 hours ago