L’Equipe apologizes for criticism of Belgium star Doku’s birth plans

French sports broadcaster L’Equipe has apologized after a journalist criticized Belgium’s World Cup star Jeremy Doku for his potential return home to be present at the birth of his first child.

Manchester City winger Doku, whose wife Shireen is due in July, could miss a knockout game. The 24-year-old told Belgian media in Seattle: “It depends on when it happens, but it’s my first child, so I definitely want to be there.”

On the “L’Equipe de Choc” programme on Friday, France Pierron expressed incomprehension at Doku’s decision.

“When you have a chance to participate in a World Cup, there are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place, it’s a childhood dream,” Pierron said.

“And you’re going to leave all that behind to be there for the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment – excuse me – where the dad is good for nothing and has a background role,” she added.

The comments were met with a barrage of criticism, with Pierron subsequently being dropped from Monday’s show despite apologizing for the remarks on Saturday.

“L’Équipe distances itself from these comments, which are far removed from the Group’s values, and apologizes to the footballer concerned and, more broadly, to its readers,” the broadcaster said in a statement on Sunday.

The official French association for women sports journalists also criticized the “backwards” remarks, while condemning the abuse aimed at Pierron.