L'Equipe presenter France Pierron has been suspended after making controversial remarks about Belgium star Jeremy Doku's decision to leave the World Cup.
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| Jeremy Doku faced criticism over plans to leave the World Cup for the birth of his first child. (Image: Getty) |
France Pierron has reportedly been suspended by L'Equipe following her extraordinary rant aimed at Manchester City and Belgium star Jeremy Doku. The 24-year-old could be absent for the World Cup quarter-final, should Belgium reach that stage, as he plans to attend the birth of his first child in July.
The news of his potential unavailability prompted Pierron to condemn the decision on L'Equipe de Choc, branding it "disgraceful". According to French outlet Clement Garin, Pierron has been removed from presenting duties ahead of their upcoming show on Monday. The remarks made by the journalist and presenter have provoked widespread fury and condemnation, with many criticising her outdated perspective.
Doku's wife Shireen is expected to give birth during the second week of July, which will clash with the quarter-final fixtures. Speaking before the tournament, the winger confirmed he would return home to be with his partner as they welcome their first child.
Clement Garin has reported that Pierron has been suspended by the French broadcaster and will not be fronting their programme on Monday. A tweet read: "NFGO CGTV. France Pierron suspended from airing, the "L'Equipe" editorial team denounces the directory's "hypocrisy.
"According to CGTV sources, @francepierron will not be presenting #LÉquipeDeChoc this Monday. A decision the editorial team does not understand, because it was the management itself that ordered not to delete the post when it started to go viral. It was only when the backlash became unmanageable that management changed its tune by demanding the post be deleted... and turning against its own journalist!".
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| Jeremy Doku's partner is expected to give birth to their first child in July (Image: Getty) |
Doku was absent from Belgium's goalless draw with Iran on Sunday owing to a chest infection, as Rudi Garcia's side occupy second spot in Group G behind the Middle Eastern nation. They remain ahead of New Zealand and Egypt by a single point, though the other group fixture is scheduled for Monday morning (2am), which could pile further pressure on the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku heading into their final encounter against New Zealand.
The forward said pre-tournament: "It depends on when it happens, but it's my first child, so I would definitely want to be there. "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."
Following Belgium's draw against Egypt in the group opener — where they avoided a disastrous beginning when a second-half own-goal wiped out Emam Ashour's opener — Pierron was scathing of Doku's decision to potentially miss the World Cup for a personal milestone, branding it "disgusting". She remarked: "You can't miss a World Cup... And now, you're not going to the match to cut an umbilical cord?
"You have the chance to participate in a World Cup, and there are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place, but you're going to leave all that to go and witness the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the father is useless, he has a role as an extra."
Following a fierce social media backlash, she subsequently broke her silence but offered only a lukewarm apology to the Belgian wide man. She wrote: "In light of the very numerous reactions following my comments in 'L'Équipe de Choc' regarding Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku, I wish to provide a few clarifications. In it, I expressed a personal opinion, within the framework of a debate
"In it, I was expressing a personal opinion, within the context of a contentious exchange. These remarks commit only me and in no way reflect a collective position. I understand that they may have shocked, hurt, or wounded some of you, and I am sorry for that.
"My intention has never been to minimize the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child."
- Stephen Killen
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