TV presenter suspended following huge backlash over comments on Jeremy Doku at World Cup

TV presenter France Pierron has reportedly been suspended by French publication L'Equipe after receiving significant backlash for comments she made on Jeremy Doku during this summer's World Cup.

For those unaware, Doku has said he will leave Belgium's World Cup squad to attend the birth of his first child.

The 24-year-old's wife, Shireen, is due to give birth to a baby boy in the second week of July, which lines up with the quarter-final stage of this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

"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," Doku said.

"I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations," he added. "We'll see what we can do."

After Doku's comments surfaced, L'Equipe presenter France Pierron criticised the Manchester City winger for his stance on the situation. In fact, she described the decision as "disgraceful", according to The Mirror.

"You can't miss a World Cup. And now, you're not going to the match to cut an umbilical cord?" she said on L'Équipe de Choc.

"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."

Doku says he will leave Belgium's World Cup to attend the birth of his first child. Image credit: Getty

Pierron has since apologised for her remarks following huge backlash.

"I was expressing a personal opinion, within the framework of a debate," she wrote on X. “I understand that they may have shocked, hurt, or wounded some of you, and I am sorry for that."

She added: “My intention has never been to minimise the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child.”

Now, French outlet Clement Garin has claimed Pierron has been suspended by the French broadcaster and will not be on presenting duties for their show 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!"

L'Equipe release statement on comments made by France Pierron about Jeremy Doku plan

A statement from L'Equipe read: "On Friday, June 19, during a debate on the show "L'Équipe de Choc", France Pierron made remarks that shocked many viewers of the L'Équipe channel."

It added: "The team disassociates itself from these remarks which are very far removed from the Group's values ​​and apologizes to the footballer concerned and more generally to its fans."