Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has faced fierce criticism after revealing he intends to leave Belgium’s World Cup camp to be with his wife Shireen when she gives birth to their first child, even if the Red Devils are still in the tournament at the quarter-final stage.
The 24-year-old told Reuters: “It’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there. 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. I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We’ll see what we can do.”
“Jeremy Doku criticised for plan to leave World Cup camp for wife's birth; France Pierron apologises.”
Doku’s comments prompted a sharp response from L’Equipe channel presenter France Pierron, who labelled a father “completely useless” at the time of their child’s birth. In a message posted to the Facebook page of French sports publication L’Equipe, she wrote: “The World Cup is an incredible joy. There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life. 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.”
Doku received support online following Pierron’s remarks, including from retired French boxer Brahim Asloum, who won light-flyweight gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Asloum wrote: “A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over.”
Later on Saturday, Pierron released a statement on her X page in an attempt to explain her comments and apologise. She said: “I was expressing a personal opinion, within the context of a contentious exchange. I understand that they may have shocked, hurt, or wounded some of you, and I am sorry for that. My intention has never been to minimise the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child.”
Belgium confirmed on Saturday that Doku will miss their second World Cup group match against Iran because of illness. Rudi Garcia’s side, who drew their opening game with Egypt 1-1, are next in action at 20:00 BST.