Jeremy Doku prioritizes family over football, planning to leave the Belgium camp for his child's birth. Criticism from presenter Pierron led to widespread support for Doku and an apology from L'Equipe.
Key points
Jeremy Doku prioritizes family over football
Doku plans to leave Belgium camp for child's birth
Pierron criticized Doku's decision
L'Equipe apologized for Pierron's comments
Widespread support for Doku from the football community
Mentioned in this story
Jeremy DokuL'EquipePierron
World CupBelgium
Jeremy Doku has made it clear - family comes first.
The Manchester City winger is due to become a father next month and says he wants to leave the Belgium camp to be at the birth, even if they are still at the World Cup.
L'Equipe channel presenter France Pierron criticised him, saying a father is "completely useless" at the time of their child's birth, which she said was a "disgusting moment".
In a statement, L'Equipe apologised and said Pierron's comments were "very far removed" from its values. The presenter also apologised, and reports in France said she would not present her show on Monday.
The reaction in football - and elsewhere - was united.
His wife Shireen is due to give birth during the second week of July, which could mean her husband missing a quarter-final if Belgium have progressed that far.
"If you ask me what I want, my answer is that nobody wants to miss the birth of their first child," Doku, 24, told Reuters.
"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."
England striker Ollie Watkins, who has two children, backed Doku.
"I think someone labelled it disgusting and I think for a start that's not a way to label a birth," he said. "I've seen what my wife had to go through and that was quite smooth sailing but I know family members and friends that haven't had it that way.
"It only happens once - welcoming your first child to the world - and it is a blessing. There's a lot of times where you're away from family and friends during the season and it's very difficult, so to miss that would be tough and I see where he's coming from."
The Professional Footballers' Association said demands placed on players should not be at the expense of "fundamental family moments".
"While every situation is different, we believe players should be supported in balancing their professional responsibilities with important life events," a PFA spokesperson said.
"Supporting players as people, not just athletes, is an important part of creating a healthy professional working environment."
The Fatherhood Institute, which supports men as hands-on fathers and caregivers, also backed Doku.
Q&A
Why did Jeremy Doku want to leave the Belgium camp?
Jeremy Doku wanted to leave the Belgium camp to be present for the birth of his child.
What did Pierron say about fathers during childbirth?
Pierron criticized Doku, claiming that a father is 'completely useless' during the childbirth process.
How did L'Equipe respond to Pierron's comments?
L'Equipe issued an apology, stating that Pierron's comments were 'very far removed' from its values.
What was the reaction from the football community to Doku's situation?
The football community showed united support for Doku following the criticism he faced.
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"It makes me think of gladiators in the Colosseum," deputy chief executive Jeremy Davies told BBC Sport.
"We want these men to be these heroic figures who exist for our entertainment. They get paid lots of money but there are some things that are worth a lot more."
The regulations - and the precedents
Fifa regulations state maternity leave for female footballers should be "a minimum period of 14 weeks' paid absence" - eight weeks of which must be after the birth.
There is no specific stipulation on paternity leave, leaving those in the men's game to juggle their responsibilities.
One club had a car on standby outside the ground for a player whose partner was soon due to give birth, while one manager at a top-flight European club did not travel to a match to be with his wife as she was about to have their second child.
Instead of being in the dugout, he watched the game on TV and relayed instructions to his coaching staff.
"I was on the earpiece to the bench and 10 minutes into the game she started getting labour pains," said the manager, who is now working in the Championship.
"We were 2-1 up at half-time but she was getting more into labour. I rang the hospital to say we were going to come in, but had to stop because we got a penalty.
"We scored, I knew we won the game, and we came right in. Our daughter was born two hours later.
"It's less common with managers because they are typically older but the game doesn't stop... you need to win the next game."
Doku would certainly not be the first player to put attending his child's birth before football.
And former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was given extended leave during the Covid pandemic when his partner Edurne gave birth to their daughter in 2021.
Ruben Neves had a similar experience in January 2021 - watching the birth of his third child on his phone from Wolves' team bus after a 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
His wife had returned to Portugal as her doctor was there, but Neves' plans to join her were scuppered by travel restrictions because of the pandemic.
'The most important of not important things'
When Roy Keane was Republic of Ireland assistant manager, he quipped Robbie Keane should be available to play in a match against Germany after the birth of his son "unless he's breastfeeding".
Former Brentford and Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, who is a pundit for BBC Sport during the World Cup, has handled similar situations.
"Football is the most important of not important things - so it is not important at a time like this," he said.
"To see your wife or partner give birth is one of the biggest things you will experience, and I think it is so important also to be there.
"It has always been a priority to tell my players that. I would say: 'It is up you - I recommend you be there.'"
Frank said Doku heading home for his child's birth would be "the right thing to do", adding: "When he comes back, he will be absolutely on top of the world."
What has happened in other sports?
Jamie Smith carries his bat under his arm while playing for EnglandImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Jamie Smith has 21 Test caps, having made his debut in 2024
