Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has come under fire after revealing he intends to leave the country’s World Cup camp to be with his wife when she gives birth to their first child.
Doku’s wife, Shireen, is expected to give birth during the second week of July. The Manchester City forward said he plans to return home even if Belgium remain in the tournament, which would place the Red Devils at the quarter-final stage.
“It’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there,” the 24-year-old told Reuters.
“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.”
However, Doku’s intention to leave the United States and return home triggered strong criticism from L’Equipe channel presenter France Pierron, who described a father as “completely useless” during childbirth.
“The World Cup is an incredible joy,” she said in a message posted to the Facebook page of French sports publication L’Equipe.
“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.”
Pierron’s comments sparked backlash online, with many defending Doku’s decision. Among those supporting the Belgian international was retired boxer Brahim Asloum, who won light-flyweight gold for France at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
“A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over,” Asloum wrote.
Later on Saturday, Pierron issued a statement on her X account seeking to clarify her remarks and apologise for any offence caused.
“I was expressing a personal opinion, within the context of a contentious exchange,” she said.
“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 also confirmed on Saturday that Doku will miss their second World Cup group-stage match against Iran because of illness. Rudi Garcia’s side opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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