Pundit apologises after criticising Jeremy Doku's plan to attend birth

sportsJun 21, 2026151,003

A TV pundit on French show L'Equipe de Choc criticised Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku for saying he intends to leave Belgium's 2026 World Cup camp to be present at the birth of his first child, telling him "You have chosen to play. The baby will still be there afterwards." The presenter later apologised on air for the remarks. Doku has said he will temporarily leave the squad for the birth, a choice that could affect Belgium's World Cup preparations and raises questions about how national teams accommodate players' family events during major tournaments.

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò

@olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social

"Winger 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." Happy Father's Day yall www.bbc.com/sport/footba...

81345d ago

Bar Mageddon88

i thought this was going to be about random internet comments, but???

Koen Van Laer37

It's ironic that's is criticized in France, but in Belgium everyone is more or less: We'll miss him, but we understand & respect his choice

gandybob.bsky.social36

It’s also a crappy clickbait headline from the BBC. The criticism came from a single journalist - she has been roundly criticised and Doku has been (rightly) supported. Anyone who thinks the World Cup is more important than the birth of their child needs their head checked.

Lisa Diedrich25

That this TV presenter’s criticism is worthy of coverage is part of the problem: “Doku's plan to leave the USA and return home has brought fierce criticism from L'Equipe channel presenter France Pierron, who labelled a father ‘completely useless’ at the time of their child's birth.” Ridiculous.

Silky12

not sure some miserable cunt mouthing off on facebook is news. only encourages them.

Prof Chris Jackson9

Football fans are generally dreadful ☹️

Sam8

I am struggling to understand why one random French sports journalist's insane comments should be reported on in the BBC

prt64.bsky.social7

I have been lucky and successful in life but nothing, absolutely nothing comes close to becoming a parent at the point you kid comes into the world, not by a billion light years.

Marianne Dhenin6

Meanwhile, a Norwegian colleague joined his wife in the delivery room via FaceTime for the birth of their first kiddo www.reuters.com/sports/socce...

🤘Patricia Lee, Publisher5

The men-folk sure get weird when men buck the patriarchy. Sports is nothing a but a paid hobby; dude has his priorities set correctly.

Skatingfool4

He knows what's really important...

John Bentley4

He should be criticised if he doesn't attend the birth

Charles O’Connor4

This is how my wife becomes a Man City fan

Living well3

On one hand …this hasn’t happened yet? Belgium might not even advance beyond the group stage and if so it doesn’t matter at all. I haven’t seen much negative reaction and I personally immediately thought “good for him”… this seems like a manufactured controversy the papers want to push for the drama

Scott Gibson3

Just needs a person who has never tried to have a kid to roll up and ask why they couldn’t have time things better.

DFW Sam3

I’d do the same. Haters need to take a beat and carefully consider which of those two things are the most important. Also, any answer other than “his child”, is wrong.

Daffy2

A smart and proper choice.

Leslie Molson2

Yet they insist, erroneously, that we don't value fatherhood.

RGS Pol2

Anyone who criticizes that needs a shot of humanity. There is nothing like being there for the birth of your children, especially the first. NOTHING!

gracenhope.bsky.social2

Certainly supported by his family, team mates, country, and what a joyous celebration to meet your child and care for your wife! May it all go smoothly and with joy Oh well, one persons bad take is another persons clickbate

Arno de Vries2

Criticised by…. one random tv person.

Emily✨🇳🇱

@emilyoram.bsky.social

I cannot BELIEVE people are slating Jeremy Doku for wanting to be at the birth of this first child, though even if it was his 10th so what?! Grow up!!!

5345d ago

Emily✨🇳🇱9

Fabian Delph popped home during Russia ‘18, it’s not like it’s unprecedented.

justbeniceffs.bsky.social3

The more worrying thing is that this is even a discussion.

goonlighting2

the first thing doku has done that i've ever felt good about

Jack Lang

@jacklang.bsky.social

“You have chosen to play. The baby will still be there afterwards.” “A World Cup is a unique moment. You’re going to walk away from that?” Reactionary garbage. Hats off to Jérémy Doku. Some things are far more important than football www.nytimes.com/athletic/737...

2845d ago

lindsey adler

@lindseyadler.bsky.social

i need the world cup and reproduction gods to bless jeremy doku and let him see the birth of his first child and also play in the knockout round. we just... cannot do That Discourse, thank you.

2444d ago

Ben Stanley

@benstanley.eu

www.bbc.com/sport/footba... “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.” Happy Father’s Day from L’Equipe!

1745d ago

Klara Sterczewska3

so there's obnoxious misogyny here but I also think it's telling of how many people kinda stopped being aware that childbirth is literally a life-threatening situation for a person giving birth

Josie Glausiusz

@josiegz.bsky.social

“It’s my first child, so I ‌would ⁠definitely want to be there,” Belgium winger Jeremy Doku said. Doku has been criticised for saying that he intends to leave his nation’s World Cup squad to attend the birth of his first child. Oh tomorrow is Father's Day www.nytimes.com/athletic/737...

1845d ago

Mark S

@jacobs-ladder71.bsky.social

If Jeremy Doku wants to leave the Belgian World Cup camp to go back home & attend the birth of his & his wife's first child, why the fuck would anyone object to that? It's only football. Football means fuck all compared to that, frankly. Really, it means fuck all compared to a shit-ton of things.

944d ago

Treblig 🇺🇦

@camtreblig.bsky.social

The only downside to Belgium blowing this is that those pundits who had a go at poor Jeremy Doku for wanting to be present for the birth of his child (I know, shocking!) are gonna be doing a victory lap

644d ago

Harbourmaster Productions

@harbourmasterrr.bsky.social

Absolute nonsense. Some things are more important than sports. In fact, lots of things are more important than sports. Doku criticised over plan to return home for birth - www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

845d ago

Tim Smedley

@timsmedley.bsky.social

Welcome to the Father's club Jeremy Doku, sounds like you're going to do just fine. What great role modelling for kids of what is truly important in life. 👏👏 #HappyFathersDay "Doku criticised over plan to return home for birth" - www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...

645d ago

Unusual Efforts

@unusualefforts.bsky.social

AND THIS INCLUDES Jeremy Doku, who should absolutely support his partner and get to be at the birth of his child, ffs, why is that even a question?!?

645d ago

j-e-l

@jelbugle.bsky.social

Jeremy Doku is a good guy, and to be criticised for saying he wants to be at the birth of his 1st child is wrong

545d ago

Captain Blue (aka Mike G )

@valiant57.bsky.social

Happy Fathers Day to all you great Dads out there . Sad to see Jeremy Doku being criticised in certain quarters for wanting to be at the birthday of his first child instead of staying at the world cup. Good on him , great start to being a Dad.

445d ago

Derek Gray

@derekgray.bsky.social

www.bbc.com/sport/footba... France Pierron is, to quote Oscar Wilde, someone who knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing. What a take to have. In the meantime, Jeremy Doku is a real man with real values. I hope all goes well and he has a terrific world cup

345d ago

Amo95

@bmd2025.bsky.social

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba... 2026 and a fella is getting grief from the media for wanting to be there for the birth of his first child. Mental.

345d ago

2 sources

bbc.co.ukWorld Cup 2026: Jeremy Doku criticised over plan to leave Belgium camp for birth of child bbc.comWorld Cup 2026: Jeremy Doku criticised over plan to leave Belgium camp for birth of child

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Pundit apologises after criticising Jeremy Doku's plan to attend birth

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