World Cup presenter apologises after criticising Jeremy Doku for plans to fly home for baby’s birth

A French television presenter has apologised after her comments on Jeremy Doku potentially leaving the World Cup for his child’s birth.

The Manchester City winger is with the Belgium national team and played in their 1-1 draw against Egypt earlier in the week.

Doku says he will leave the World Cup for the birth of his childGetty

Doku told reporters that his wife Shireen is due to give birth during the second week of July.

The World Cup last 16 and quarter-finals are scheduled for this time, and Doku could therefore miss some key matches for Belgium.

He 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.

Doku then added: “I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We’ll see what we ​can do.”

France Pierron, who presents on the L’Equipe channel, criticised Doku for deciding to leave and said fathers are ‘useless’ at a child’s birth.

“The World Cup is an incredible joy,” she said in a message that was posted on the L’Equipe Facebook page.

“There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life.

“You’re living out a childhood dream, yet you’re going to walk away from it all to attend the birth of your child – a disgusting moment, if you’ll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless.”

Pierron has now apologised in posts on her X account, saying: “In light of the very numerous reactions following my comments in ‘L’Equipe de Choc’ regarding Belgian footballer Jeremy Doku, I wish to provide a few clarifications.

Doku could leave the Belgium squad once the last 16 is underwayGetty

“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.

“My intention has never been to minimise the place or role of fathers with their partner and their child.”

Will Doku play in Belgium’s next match?

Amid the debate over Doku leaving the World Cup, he is set to miss Belgium’s match against Iran on Sunday, live on talkSPORT.

ESPN claim the 24-year-old has been suffering from a respiratory problem for at least a fortnight.

Belgium made a slow start to their World Cup campaign with the draw against EgyptGetty

“He can’t play, and so we’ll be playing without him,” Belgium boss Rudi Garcia said. “I knew since (Friday) evening 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).

“But I’m absolutely 100 per cent sure we’ll be fine and we’ll be winning tomorrow.”

Belgium are currently third in Group G and level on one point with New Zealand, Iran and Egypt.

None of the four sides can qualify for the round of 32 in their next round of matches.

However, they cannot be eliminated either, meaning the race for the knockout stages will go down to the third and final group matches.

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