Bernard Lions leaves 'L'Équipe du Soir' after eighteen years on the show

Bernard Lions is stepping down. The 56-year-old journalist announced Monday on his X account the end of his time with ‘L’Équipe du Soir’, eighteen years after joining the show’s panel at its launch in 2008.

“Thank you to the millions of viewers for our 18 years together looking for the right camera, having yellows, with two ice cubes, and reds, in a balloon, during a rigged show. The best is yet to come. Love,” he wrote in a humorous farewell message.

His departure is part of a major overhaul of the show for the 2026 season. La chaîne L’Équipe’s management has chosen to significantly tighten its team of commentators, eliminating weekend and Monday slots in the process. The stated objective: to help the public better identify the personalities around the table.

Bernard Lions joins a long list of historic figures who have already announced their departures: Johan Micoud, Éric Blanc, Guillaume Dufy, Hervé Penot, Grégory Schneider, Philippe Sanfourche, Dominique Séverac, Sébastien Tarrago, Régis Testelin, Raymond Domenech, Régis Brouard and Jérôme Alonzo.

Presenter Olivier Ménard, in position since the show’s launch, retains his role. He will be surrounded by Dave Appadoo, Ludovic Obraniak, Vikash Dhorasoo, Hugo Guillemet and Vincent Duluc. On the side of new recruits, management has prioritized parity by bringing in former athlete Héloïse Kane and ex-footballer Nicole Abar, alongside Virginie Sainsily and Pia Clémens, who remain on air.