A French TV presenter has apologised after criticising Belgium winger Jeremy Doku’s decision to leave the World Cup to be with his wife for the birth of their first child.
Doku, who will Belgium’s match against Iran on Sunday due to a chest infection, revealed that his wife Shireen is due during the second week of July – which will coincide with the quarter-finals.
The Manchester City forward, 24, told Reuters that he plans to leave the World Cup and return home even if Belgium are still in the tournament. Belgian media reported that plans are being put in place so Doku can travel home via private jet.
“It depends on when it happens, but it’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there,” Doku said. “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.”
However, Doku’s comments were criticised by Channel L’Equipe presenter France Pierron, who said the father is “completely useless” during their child’s birth.
“There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life,” Pierron posted on social media.
“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 later apologised for her comments. “I was expressing a personal opinion, within the framework of a debate,” she wrote on X.
“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.”
This World Cup has already witnessed its first birth, with Norway’s Leo Ostigard celebrating the arrival of his firth child by video link. The 26-year-old Ostigard’s partner Aurora Eidmann gave birth to their son on Friday.
“I’m completely exhausted myself, it was absolutely amazing,” Ostigard said in a video published by the Norwegian FA. “She did so well, there wasn’t much I could say, I just had to help her work and get him out. I’m proud, amazing.
“When I saw him for the first time, I was blown away. It’s absolutely insane. I’m so happy and proud. It’s definitely the greatest thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Ostigard said he celebrated with team-mates Erling Haaland, Jorgen Strand Larsen and Sander Berge, who burst into his hotel room.
Ostigard, who scored for Norway in their opening win against Iraq, added: “I think it makes me a little more relaxed, that everything has gone well, because you never know. Now it’s just joy and I’m very happy that things are good, and that my boy is out.”
