Man City star wildly ripped into over leaving World Cup for birth of child - 'Disgusting'

Manchester City star Jeremy Doku was bizarrely ripped apart over leaving Belgium's World Cup squad to be there for the birth of his first child

Manchester City star Jeremy Doku has been hammered for saying he'll leave Belgium's World Cup squad to attend the birth of his firstborn child this week. L'Equipe journalist France Pierron has caused quite the stir with comments that have been clipped and shown on social media.

Doku started in Belgium's 1-1 draw with Egypt in their opening game of the World Cup, but could miss some of the Red Devils World Cup group games to attend the birth of his child this month. On the L'Equipe channel, presenter Pierron said: "You can't miss a World Cup... And now, you're not going to the match to cut an umbilical cord?

"You have the chance to participate in a World Cup, and there are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place, but you're going to leave all that to go and witness the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the father is useless, he has a role as an extra."

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"What do you mean, we're useless?" former boxer Brahim Asloum said, who was also on the show. "Who's encouraging us?"

Pierron said: "The midwife doesn't know how to do it? Meanwhile, you're going to waste 10 hours, you're going to get exhausted, you're going to have an emotional meltdown, you're going to be completely deflated by your World Cup."

"A baby is your whole life," Asloum said. "You can win a World Cup or miss it, but once it's over, it's over."

"But Brahim, your baby will always be there," Pierron said. It's not the first time the journalist or the media outlet have taken such a bizarre stance. The channel had to apologise after comments made about PSG and Brazil defender Marquinhos who missed a game against Montpellier in 2019.

Former Auxerre coach Guy Roux said: "Are men the ones giving birth now? Isn't there a doctor in Paris to deliver this woman's baby?"

There was laughter on set before some awkwardness and journalist Bertrand Latour said: "Marquinhos's going to be breastfeeding now."

The outlet had to apologise for the comments, but it does not seem to have learnt from the criticism. Pierron sparked controversy two years ago with comments about 'the accommodations made for athletes wanting to care for their children during the Paris 2024 Olympics.'

The journalist was slammed for being out of touch and the latest comments about Doku have not gone down well on social media.

Explaining his situation regarding the birth of this child before the tournament, Doku 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.

"I know the federation supports its players and understands their situations. We'll see what we can do."

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There's been no statement from Belgium regarding Doku's availability for their clash with Iran tomorrow night and the Manchester City star has already made it clear he wants to step up and be his country's main man.

"I’m really looking forward to it," he told FourFourTwo. "This will be my second World Cup, but my first with a different role, a more important role.

"People will look towards me more to make a difference with the experience I have now. Playing for City, and how I’ve been performing, it’s given me another role in the national team.

"It’s my turn to take more responsibility - especially in the bad moments, when maybe it’s more difficult, when we’re losing or not playing that well.

"I can go and get the ball, show no fear, play my game and be dangerous, to create opportunities for the team."

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