French Broadcaster Apologizes for Calling New Dads ‘Useless’ During ‘Disgusting’ Childbirth

France Pierron is apologizing after facing backlash for saying childbirth is “disgusting” and that fathers are “useless” during delivery — comments she made about a Belgian World Cup player’s plan to leave the tournament for the birth of his first child.

Pierron, a presenter on French TV program L’Équipe de Choc, took aim at Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku, who told reporters he intends to fly home if his wife, Shireen Doku, goes into labor during Belgium’s World Cup run, according to a report The Athletic, part of The New York Times Company published, Saturday, June 20. “It’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there,” Doku said, per the outlet.

Pierron called it a “disgusting moment” to leave the squad, adding that the “father is useless” during the birth process, according to the report. “You are not going to cut an umbilical cord; you can’t miss a World Cup,” she said.

When fellow broadcaster and former boxer Brahim Asloum pushed back, telling her, “A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over,” Pierron doubled down: “He is going to waste 10 hours, he will be exhausted and have an emotional meltdown. Your baby will always be there,” according to the outlet.

The comments sparked immediate backlash, prompting Pierron to release a statement on social media. “I was expressing a personal opinion, within the context of a contentious exchange,” she posted on X, Saturday, June 20. “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.”

L’Equipe also issued a statement distancing itself from Pierron, saying the network “disassociates itself” from comments that were “very far removed from the group’s values,” the Athletic reported, adding L’Equipe also apologized to Doku and its viewers.

For his part, Doku, 24, has said he hopes to balance fatherhood with his World Cup commitments. “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,” he said, per the report. “I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We’ll see what we can do.”

According to the outlet, Doku started in Belgium’s World Cup opener against Egypt, a 1-1 draw, but missed Sunday’s match against Iran due to illness. His status for Belgium’s June 26 group finale against New Zealand remains uncertain.

Following her comments about Doku, Pierron was suspended by La Chaîne L’Équipe, according to an Actu Foot post on X, Sunday, June 21.