France Pierron has reportedly been suspended by L’Equipe following her astonishing outburst towards Manchester City and Belgium star Jeremy Doku. The 24-year-old could miss the World Cup quarter-final, should Belgium get there, as he is set to attend the birth of his first child in July, but news of his potential absence caused Pierron to question it on L’Equipe de Choc branding the decision as “disgraceful”.
According to French outlet Clement Garin, Pierron has been stood down from presenting duty ahead of their forthcoming show on Monday. The comments made by the journalist and presenter have sparked widespread anger and backlash with many calling out her outdated view.
Doku’s wife Shireen is due to give birth during the second week of July which will coincide with the last-eight set of matches. Speaking pre-tournament, the winger revealed that he would return to be at his partner’s side as they welcome their firstborn into the world. Clement Garin has reported that Pierron has been suspended by the French broadcaster and will not be heading their show on Monday.
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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!”
Doku missed Belgium’s goalless draw with Iran on Sunday due to a chest infection as Rudi Garcia’s side sit second in Group G behind the Middle Eastern nation. They sit ahead of New Zealand and Egypt by a point, but the other group match is set to take place on Monday morning (2am), which could see pressure heap on the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku going into their final game against New Zealand.
View 2 ImagesJeremy Doku has been at the centre of a World Cup storm.(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Initially, the forward said: “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.”
In light of Belgium’s draw against Egypt in the group opener, where they were spared a nightmare start when a second-half own-goal cancelled out Emam Ashour’s opener, Pierron was outspoken against Doku’s decision to miss the World Cup over a life event, calling it “disgusting”. She said: “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.”
She has since spoken out after receiving widespread backlash on social media but issued a half-hearted apology to the Belgian wing-wizard. 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.
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“My intention has never been to minimize the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child.”