Jeremy Doku Faces Criticism Over Decision to Attend Child's Birth During World Cup

Jeremy Doku has come under fire from L'Equipe presenter France Pierron for prioritizing the birth of his child over participation in the World Cup, leading to a heated debate on the topic.

France Pierron, a presenter for L’Equipe, has received significant backlash for his remarks regarding Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku's decision to leave the World Cup to attend the birth of his first child. Pierron stated, "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."

In a segment discussing the implications of Doku's choice, Pierron harshly criticized the player, labeling the situation as a "disgusting moment." He questioned Doku’s priorities, saying, "You can't miss a World Cup. And now, you're not going to the match to cut an umbilical cord?" Pierron emphasized that many athletes would consider it a privilege to compete in the World Cup and expressed disbelief at Doku's decision.

Doku, however, defended his choice, acknowledging that the federation supports players in their personal situations. He remarked, "I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We'll see what we can do."

The conversation took a turn when Brahim Asloum, a former boxer and guest on the show, challenged Pierron’s stance. Asloum reacted strongly to Pierron’s comments, asking, "What do you mean, we're useless? Who's encouraging us?" Pierron insisted on his view, stating, "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 countered by emphasizing the importance of family, saying, "A baby is your whole life. You can win a World Cup or miss it, but once it's over, it's over." Pierron concluded the argument with the remark, "But Brahim, your baby will always be there."

As for Doku’s current status, he has been excluded from Belgium's squad for their group stage match against Iran on Sunday due to a relapse of a respiratory infection. Vincent Mannaert, Belgium's sporting director, confirmed Doku's absence, stating, "It is better to let him rest now and then work towards the final group match against New Zealand."