'It's a disgusting moment': TV presenter criticises Belgium player for wanting to leave World Cup to be there for baby's birth

A French TV presenter has apologised after publicly criticising Belgium winger Jeremy Doku for wanting to leave the World Cup to be present at the birth of his first child.

Doku, 24, who plays for Manchester City, revealed to reporters that his wife Shireen is due to give birth in the second week of July. This will coincide with the quarter-final stage of the tournament, according to The Independent.

He told Reuters he would want to be there regardless.

He told Reuters:

"It depends on when it happens, but 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."

Belgian media reported that plans are being made for Doku to travel home via private jet if needed, The Independent reported.

Presenter called birth a "disgusting moment"

The comments drew an unexpected backlash, not against Doku, but against Channel L'Equipe presenter France Pierron, who posted on social media criticising his decision.

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. It's a childhood dream you're living, and you're going to walk away from all that to go witness the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the dad is totally useless. There are guys who took out loans just to come watch the match, and you, you're skipping it just to cut an umbilical cord."

The post drew hundreds of comments, with the overwhelming majority siding with Doku, according to Financial Review.

Retired French Olympic boxer Brahim Asloum was among those who responded, writing:

"A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over."

Watkins: "Not anyone else's business"

England striker Ollie Watkins, a father of two, also came to Doku's defence.

He said:

"I think for a start [disgusting] is not a way to label a birth. It only happens once, your first child. Welcoming them into the world is a blessing, and you don't get that opportunity [again]. There's a lot of times where you're away from family and friends during the season, and it's very difficult periods. So, to miss that would be tough."

Watkins added that Doku would have plenty of support to make the trip back and return as quickly as possible, and that ultimately the decision was nobody else's to make.

Presenter issues apology

Faced with the backlash, Pierron issued an apology on X.

She wrote:

"I was expressing a personal opinion, within the framework of a debate. I was expressing a personal opinion, within the context of a contentious exchange. These remarks commit only me and in no way reflect a collective position. 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 minimize the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child."

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