A French reporter is rightly under fire after criticizing a Belgian soccer player for saying he’d miss competing in the World Cup to be at the birth of his first child, calling it “completely useless.” 

Jérémy Doku, a top player for Belgium, is expecting his first child with wife Shireen Doku. Her due date falls in the quarter-final stage of the World Cup qualifiers, and Doku made it clear he would choose his child over the game. 

“If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child,” said Doku. “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.” 

Yet for France Pierron of the French broadcast Channel L’Equipe, prioritizing family over money and fame was unimaginable, calling fathers “useless” and childbirth a “disgusting moment.” 

“You have to realize that it’s truly a privilege to participate in a World Cup, it’s an incredible joy,” said Pierron live on-air. “There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life. It’s truly a special moment, a childhood dream come true.  

“You’re living out a childhood dream, yet you’re going to walk away from it all to attend the birth of your child — a disgusting moment, if you’ll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless. He just holds your hand and takes a photo.” 

Pierron’s comment sparked immediate backlash for being dismissive of a father’s role and shaming women’s unique role of growing and welcoming new life as “disgusting.” 

While Pierron did issue an apology, it was an undeniably empty X post. 

“I was expressing a personal opinion as part of a debate,” wrote Pierron. “These remarks are mine alone and do not in any way reflect a collective position. I understand that they may have shocked, upset, or hurt some of you, and I am sorry. It was never my intention to downplay the place or role of fathers in relation to their partners and children.” 

But downplay that role she did — and degraded mothers, while she was at it. 

Her employer, L’Equipe, told The Athletic that Pierron’s comments are “very far removed from the group’s values” and distanced themselves from the reporter’s offensive stance. 

Every child deserves the loving presence of their parents from birth. In a time where many children do not receive this to their great detriment, comments like Pierron’s support a culture that values personal success over the lives and wellbeing of others. 

This is exactly the mindset that fuels abortion death culture, and it is one Students for Life of America is determined to overcome with a message of Life and love. 

EVERY MOM DESERVES LOVE AND SUPPORT. FOR PREGNANCY AND PARENTING RESOURCES, VISIT STANDINGWITHYOU.ORG.