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Dad's Choice: Footballer Quits World Cup for Birth
21 Jun
Summary
- Player Jeremy Doku plans to leave World Cup for first child's birth.
- A TV presenter criticized his decision before apologizing.
- Another player celebrated his child's birth via video link from the World Cup.
Belgian winger Jeremy Doku intends to leave the World Cup to attend the birth of his first child. The Manchester City forward revealed his wife is due in the second week of July, potentially coinciding with the tournament's quarter-final stage. Doku expressed his strong desire to be present for this life event, despite acknowledging the professional implications.
His comments sparked controversy when French TV presenter France Pierron criticized his decision. Pierron initially called the father "completely useless" during childbirth and suggested he was abandoning a childhood dream. She later issued an apology, clarifying her intent was not to diminish the role of fathers.
This situation contrasts with Norway's Leo Ostigard, who recently welcomed his child. Ostigard experienced his child's birth remotely via video link from the World Cup, celebrating the moment with teammates and describing it as the greatest experience of his life.
