L’Equipe du Soir loses more familiar voices in overhaul

L’Equipe du Soir will return with a substantially different panel, leaving the long-running football programme without several of its most recognisable voices. The changes extend beyond the contributors, with a revised schedule and studio format planned for the new season. Olivier Ménard will remain the presenter.

The programme’s reshuffle has already removed Johan Micoud, Eric Blanc, Raymond Domenech, Jérôme Alonzo, Grégory Schneider, Sébastien Tarrago and Régis Testelin. Bernard Lions confirmed his departure on Monday, before Vincent Duluc, 63, announced that he would also not be returning. Duluc leads the football section of the newspaper L’Equipe and had been a regular presence on the show.

Hervé Penot and Tanguy Le Seviller are also leaving. Penot marked the end of a 17-year association with the programme, recalling its debates and its work highlighting African football. Their exits come as Nicole Abar and Héloïse Kane join the renewed group of contributors.

The revamped edition is scheduled for Tuesday at 10:50 p.m. Maël Seror, editorial director of L’Equipe’s channel, has described the aim as giving the show fresh energy while preserving its debate and analysis. The new version is also intended to bring more humour and emotion to its football coverage.