Premier League star ripped apart over leaving World Cup for birth of child – ‘Disgusting’ | Football | Sport
Jeremy Doku has been ripped apart by a journalist in France (Image: Dirk Waem/Belga/Shutterstock)
Manchester City and Belgium winger Jeremy Doku has come under fire after revealing he intends to leave his country’s World Cup squad to attend the birth of his first child this week. L’Equipe journalist France Pierron has sparked controversy with remarks that have been clipped and widely shared across social media.
Doku featured in Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Egypt in their World Cup opener, but could be absent for some of the Red Devils’ group stage fixtures to witness the arrival of his child. Speaking on the L’Equipe channel, presenter Pierron said: “You can’t miss a World Cup… And now, you’re not going to the match to cut an umbilical cord? You have the chance to participate in a World Cup, and there are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place.
“But you’re going to leave all that to go and witness the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the father is useless, he has a role as an extra.”
Former boxer Brahim Asloum, also appearing on the programme, hit back: “What do you mean, we’re useless? Who’s encouraging us?”
Pierron responded: “The midwife doesn’t know how to do it? Meanwhile, you’re going to waste 10 hours, you’re going to get exhausted. You’re going to have an emotional meltdown, you’re going to be completely deflated by your World Cup.”
Asloum said: “A baby is your whole life. You can win a World Cup or miss it, but once it’s over, it’s over.”
Pierron replied: “But Brahim, your baby will always be there.”
It is not the first occasion the journalist or the broadcaster have adopted such a peculiar position.
The channel was forced to issue an apology following remarks made about PSG and Brazil defender Marquinhos, who missed a fixture against Montpellier in 2019.
The winger could leave his nation’s World Cup squad to attend the birth of his child (Image: (Photo by Ercin Erturk/Anadolu via Getty Images))
Former Auxerre manager Guy Roux said: “Are men the ones giving birth now? Isn’t there a doctor in Paris to deliver this woman’s baby?”
Laughter erupted on set before an uncomfortable silence descended, with journalist Bertrand Latour adding: “Marquinhos’s going to be breastfeeding now.”
The broadcaster had to apologise for those remarks, yet it appears not to have heeded the backlash.
Pierron courted controversy two years ago with observations about ‘the accommodations made for athletes wanting to care for their children during the Paris 2024 Olympics’.
The journalist faced fierce criticism for being disconnected from reality, and the most recent comments regarding Doku have been met with widespread disapproval on social media.
Addressing his circumstances surrounding the birth of his child ahead of the tournament, Doku said: “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.
“I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We’ll see what we can do.”
Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!
