French TV presenter stood down over Doku World Cup comments

Jérémy Doku

Belgium

Known as a world class dribbler on the wing, Doku added an FA Cup and an EFL Cup to his trophy case in 2026. With aging stars on the Belgium squad like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, the 24-year-old looks to establish himself as a leader of the next generation of the ‘Red Devils.’

(Getty Images/Vaughn Ridley)

A French television presenter has been stood down from her show after making disparaging comments about Belgium winger Jeremy Doku potentially missing a World Cup match to attend the birth of his child.

Doku, 24, could miss a knock-out stage game if Belgium reach that stage, as his wife is due to give birth to their first child in the second week of July.

“There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes... And you’re going to leave all that to attend the birth of your child -- which is a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the dad is useless,” L’Equipe TV presenter France Pierron said on Friday.

Pierron apologised after a backlash to her comments on social media, but the TV channel of the French sports newspaper, which is not broadcasting the World Cup, said on Monday she would remain off-air until the end of the current season of her show on July 3.

The channel said it wanted to “distance itself from these remarks, which are far removed from the group’s values, and to apologise to the footballer in question”.

Belgium have recorded two draws in the World Cup so far and need to beat New Zealand in their final group game on Friday to be sure of qualifying from Group G.