L’Équipe Apologises to Doku After Presenter’s Birth Comments Spark Outcry
French sports media outlet L’Équipe has issued a public apology to Manchester City and Belgium winger Jérémy Doku, after one of its presenters attracted widespread condemnation for criticising his decision to leave the World Cup to be present at the birth of his first child.
According to The Guardian, Doku made it back to London in time for the arrival of his son, Praise, born on Monday. Belgium’s team doctor, Brahim Hacene, confirmed in a statement that Doku had received news before the team’s match that the birth was imminent, adding that “the mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully.” Doku was expected to rejoin the Belgium squad in Seattle on Tuesday evening.
The row began after Doku, 24, told reporters last week that he would want to return home for the birth should it fall during the tournament. “It’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there,” he said, noting the federation’s support for its players.
That drew criticism from L’Équipe presenter France Pierron, who pointed to the many players who would want to be in Doku’s position at a World Cup, and described a father’s presence during labour as a “disgusting moment” where he is “completely useless.” The remarks quickly went viral, prompting a wave of pushback from across the football world and beyond.
Canadian footballer and content creator Caroline Salame, who has both played at a World Cup and given birth, was among those to respond. She wrote that giving birth was the hardest thing she had ever done, and said she could not imagine getting through it without her husband.
A fellow L’Équipe contributor, former Olympic boxing champion Brahim Asloum, also challenged Pierron’s position, describing a child’s birth as a once-in-a-lifetime moment — noting that “a World Cup is over when it is over.”
Pierron subsequently posted an apology on social media, saying her comments were personal and that she was sorry for any offence caused. L’Équipe then published its own statement, saying Pierron’s remarks had “shocked” viewers and were “far removed from its values.” The outlet apologised to Doku and to its wider audience. Reports suggest Pierron will remain off-air until 3 July.
Jeremy Davies of the Fatherhood Institute in the UK told The Guardian that it was “ridiculous” such controversy still arose when men expressed a wish to be present at their child’s birth, and described Doku’s stance as “refreshing.”
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