France Pierron off air after backlash over Jérémy Doku birth comments | OneFootball

France Pierron was absent from L'Équipe on Monday morning after backlash over comments about Jérémy Doku’s plan to leave the World Cup to attend the birth of his child.

According to 20 Minutes, the channel told staff in an internal email that she would not present "L'Équipe de choc", with consultant Pierre Bouby stepping in.

On Friday she criticised the Belgian forward, saying many players would dream of his place and questioning him leaving to attend a birth, which she described as a disgusting moment where the father serves no purpose.

Doku, a Manchester City winger, had said no father would want to miss it and was ready to make a round trip to the Americas during the tournament.

As the row grew, she apologised on X on Saturday, saying she was sorry and that she had not intended to diminish fathers’ role, then hid her posts.

On Sunday the L'Équipe group issued a statement distancing itself from her comments and apologising to the player concerned and to its audience.

The group did not immediately give an official reason for her on-air absence.

Source: Le Progres