Jeremy Doku Draws Criticism Over July World Cup Exit Plan as Presenter Apologizes
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 20
Jeremy Doku Draws Criticism Over July World Cup Exit Plan as Presenter Apologizes
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 20
Summary
Jeremy Doku, 24, said he would leave Belgium's World Cup camp in the second week of July to attend the birth of his first child, even if the team had reached the quarter-finals.
France Pierron of L'Equipe channel attacked that plan, calling a father's presence at childbirth "completely useless," comments that triggered a backlash and support for Doku online.
Brahim Asloum, France's 2000 Olympic light-flyweight champion, defended Doku by saying "a baby is your entire life," while Pierron later apologized on X for remarks she said had hurt people.
Belgium also confirmed Doku will miss Saturday's second group match against Iran through illness after opening their World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Egypt.