An unexpected debate broke out in Belgium after Jérémy Doku announced that he will temporarily leave his national team’s training camp to accompany his wife during the birth of their child.
The controversy erupted when a Belgian journalist, France Pierron, harshly questioned the footballer’s decision on television.
“Are you seriously telling me that these players have sacrificed everything to come to the World Cup, and you’re leaving just to cut the umbilical cord?”, she said.
But her statements did not end there. The broadcaster added that the birth of a child was “a moment when the father is of no use at all”, a phrase that sparked a wave of reactions on social media.
While some shared her stance and defended the sporting importance of a World Cup, thousands of fans criticized the comments and backed Doku, pointing out that the birth of a child is one of the most important moments in any person’s life.
For his part, the player explained that he made the decision after his wife’s due date came sooner than expected.
“My family needs me right now”, the footballer wrote. He also clarified that his intention is not to leave the tournament permanently, but to be present at the birth of his child before rejoining the Belgian national team for the decisive stage of the World Cup.
Thus, what began as a family decision ended up becoming one of the tournament’s most talked-about debates: should a footballer prioritize the World Cup or be present at the birth of his child?
Watch the video here explaining his decision: