France Pierron Issues Apology After Criticism of Jeremy Doku's Decision to Leave Belgium Squad for Child's Birth

Journalist France Pierron apologized for her remarks regarding Jeremy Doku's choice to prioritize the birth of his first child over the World Cup, after facing backlash on social media.

Journalist France Pierron issued an apology on Saturday following a controversial segment aired on the L'Equipe television channel. During a debate on the show L'Equipe de Choc, Pierron criticized Belgian footballer Jeremy Doku for his choice to temporarily leave the 2026 World Cup to be present for the birth of his first child.

The controversy unfolded on Friday when Doku, who is currently representing Belgium in the World Cup, disclosed that he might step away from his teammates in July for this significant family event. Pierron expressed her disapproval, arguing that participating in the World Cup is a rare opportunity that many footballers aspire to achieve.

On air, she stated, "You have to realize that it's truly a privilege to participate in a World Cup, it's an incredible joy. There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place; it might never happen again in your life. It's truly a special moment, a childhood dream come true," before adding, "And you're going to leave all that to be present for the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, excuse my language, where the father is useless, he's just an extra."

Following her comments, social media erupted with criticism, with numerous users condemning Pierron for her views on fatherhood and the significance of family milestones. In response to the backlash and criticism from her colleagues, Pierron took to her personal account on X to address the issue. She clarified that her remarks were her personal opinion and did not represent her employer or the production team's views.

"I was expressing a personal opinion within the context of a debate. These remarks are solely my own and in no way reflect a collective position. I understand that they may have shocked, offended, or hurt some of you, and I am sorry," she wrote, concluding with, "My intention was never to minimize the place or role of fathers with their partners and children."

Doku, who plays for Manchester City, had been clear about his priorities early in the week, stating that family comes first despite his professional obligations to the Belgian national team. "It will depend on when it happens, but it's my first child, so I really want to be there," he told the press.

He further elaborated, "If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child. But I also know that football involves many other considerations. I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We'll see what we can do."

This debate surrounding Doku's potential leave comes at a challenging time for the Belgian national team, as the winger is also contending with physical issues on the field. Doku has been managing health complications that have affected his performance in the tournament, particularly following an opening match that ended in a 1-1 draw against Egypt. The Red Devils are currently in a precarious position within a highly competitive Group D, with recent reports indicating that a recurring respiratory infection has ruled Doku out of a crucial upcoming match against Iran.