French media outlet L'Équipe has apologised to Belgian footballer Jérémy Doku after one of its pundits criticised him for planning to leave the World Cup to attend the birth of his first child. Doku's wife, Shireen, gave birth to a boy named Praise on Monday, and Doku made it back to London in time for the birth, according to the Belgian football federation.
Details of the birth and Doku's travel
Team doctor Brahim Hacene confirmed the news in a statement: "Jeremy received news before yesterday’s match that the birth was imminent. Everything went perfectly, and the mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully. Jérémy will rejoin the squad [on Tuesday] evening in Seattle." Doku, a 24-year-old winger for Manchester City, had previously told reporters that his wife was due in the second week of July and that he hoped to be present if Belgium were still in the tournament. "It depends on when it happens, but it’s my first child, so I would definitely want to be there," Doku said. "I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations."
Pundit's criticism and backlash
France Pierron, a presenter with L'Équipe, commented on Friday: "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, where the dad is completely useless. He just holds your hand and takes a photo." Her remarks sparked widespread criticism. Former Belgian youth coach Peter Janssens had also criticised Doku, saying, "If you’ve chosen to be there, you’ve chosen to play. The baby will still be there afterwards." Former international Gert Verheyen mocked Doku's decision.
However, many defended Doku. Caroline Salame, a former Canadian under-17 World Cup player, wrote: "As someone who has played in a World Cup and who has also given birth, let me tell you this: the hardest thing I have ever done is bringing my baby earthside. And I do not know how I would have done that without my husband beside me." L'Équipe commentator and former Olympic boxer Brahim Asloum called the birth of a child a "once in a lifetime moment," adding, "A baby is your entire life. A World Cup is over when it is over."
Apology and fallout
Pierron later apologised on social media, stating: "These remarks are solely my own and in no way reflect a collective position. I understand that they may have shocked, offended or hurt some of you, and I am sorry for that. My intention was never to minimise the place or role of fathers with their partners and children." L'Équipe distanced itself from the comments in a statement on Sunday, saying they had "shocked" viewers and apologising to Doku and its audience. It was reported that Pierron would remain off-air until the end of her show's current season on 3 July.
Broader perspective on fatherhood and sports
Jeremy Davies of the Fatherhood Institute in the UK commented: "It seems ridiculous to me that we still have these big outrages, when men talk about wanting to do the most basic human thing imaginable, which is to be present when their baby is born." He described Doku as setting a "refreshing" example, adding, "You can be a soft and loving man and hard as nails on the pitch, if you like." Davies applauded Doku's perspective, noting, "In the end, football is important, but it’s just a job. This footballer gets it, and that’s a healthy attitude."
