Jeremy Doku has been criticised for saying he wants to leave Belgium’s World Cup camp to be with his wife when she gives birth to their first child
Jeremy Doku is set to return to the Belgium squad after catching an emergency flight to London for the birth of his child. Doku jetted back to London at short notice to be alongside his wife Shireen as they welcomed their new baby boy, Praise, together.
The Manchester City star missed his side’s 0-0 Group G draw against Iran on Sunday because of a respiratory illness but was cleared to fly back to London so he could be with his wife. Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said in a statement: “As he had already been receiving the appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without any medical risk in order to be with his family during this very special moment.
“He was accompanied by my colleague, Dr. Brecht De Coninck. Everything went perfectly, and the mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully. Jérémy will rejoin the group tomorrow evening in Seattle.” While a statement from the Belgium FA confirmed: “Jeremy received news before [Sunday’s] match that the birth was imminent.
“As he had already been receiving appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without medical risk to be with his family during this very special moment.
“He was accompanied by my colleague, Dr Brecht De Coninck. Everything went perfectly, and the mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully. Jeremy will rejoin the squad [Tuesday] evening in Seattle.”
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A post on Belgium’s X account also said: “Congratulations to Jeremy Doku and his family on the birth of their first son, Praise.
“With the approval of and accompanied by one of our team doctors, Jeremy travelled to London to be with his wife for this unique occasion. Jeremy will rejoin the squad tomorrow evening in Seattle as preparations continue for next match against New Zealand.”
Rudi Garcia’s side face New Zealand on Friday in their final World Cup match and need a win, after opening the tournament with two draws, to avoid being eliminated from the World Cup before the knockout rounds.
On Sunday, French newspaper L’Equipe disavowed what many have described as ‘disgraceful’ comments by a female commentator who criticised Doku for wanting to leave the World Cup to be at the birth of his first child. The publication apologised to the winger in a statement late on Sunday and said the comments by France Pierron did not represent its values.
Pierron, speaking on the L’Equipe de Choc on Friday, 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.”
Later clarifying her comments, Pierron said: “In light of the very numerous reactions following my comments in ‘L’Équipe de Choc’ regarding Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku, I wish to provide a few clarifications. In it, I expressed a personal opinion, within the framework of a debate.
“In it, 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.
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“My intention has never been to minimize the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child.”
Belgium boss Garcia had no issue with Doku flying back. Speaking ahead of the draw against Iran: “He can’t play, and so we’ll be playing without him. I knew since Friday that he won’t be playing.
“I don’t want to get players to play if they’re not medically up for the game. I can get players to play even if they’re not 100 percent physically, but 100 percent medically is more important.”
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