Belgium winger, Jeremy Doku, has come under criticism after revealing he is prepared to leave the national team’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 in the second week of July, and the 24-year-old Manchester City forward has said he would return home even if the Red Devils are still competing, potentially during the quarter-final stage.
“It’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there,” the Manchester City forward, 24, 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 stance has sparked backlash, particularly from L’Equipe TV presenter France Pierron, who described a father as “completely useless” during the birth of a child while reacting on social media.
“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.”
Doku has, however, also received strong support online in response to Pierron’s comments, including from former Olympic boxing champion Brahim Asloum.
“A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over,” he wrote.
Following the backlash, Pierron later issued a clarification and apology on her X account, stating she did not intend to offend.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Belgium have confirmed that Doku will miss their second World Cup group game against Iran due to illness, with Rudi Garcia’s side having started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Egypt.
