Belgian winger Doku flies home for birth of son; controversy over World Cup leave leads to L'Équipe suspension

The birth

Jeremy Doku left Belgium's World Cup base in Los Angeles on Sunday after learning his wife, Shireen Raymond, was about to give birth. Accompanied by team doctor Brecht De Coninck, he flew to London, where she gave birth to their son Praise on Monday. The Belgian federation confirmed on Monday evening that mother, father and baby were all well.

Jeremy received news before yesterday's match that the birth was imminent. As he had already been receiving the appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without any medical risk to be with his family during this very special moment. Mother, father, and baby are all doing wonderfully.

Medical clearance and match absence

Doku was already ruled out of Belgium's second Group G match against Iran on Sunday, a 0-0 draw in Los Angeles, due to a respiratory infection that required antibiotics. Team doctor Brahim Hacene confirmed the treatment made it unsafe to play but safe to fly. The federation had earlier arranged a charter flight for the event.

The 24-year-old winger is to rejoin the squad at their base in Seattle on Tuesday evening, local time, and is expected to be available for the crucial final group match against New Zealand on Friday in Vancouver.

Controversy ignites

The decision to prioritise fatherhood over a World Cup campaign drew sharp criticism from L'Équipe TV presenter France Pierron. On Friday's broadcast she called childbirth "a disgusting moment where the father is useless" and argued that hundreds of players would do anything to be in Doku's position. Her remarks triggered a swift backlash on social media.

There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your place... and you're leaving all that to attend the birth of your child, which is a disgusting moment, excuse me, where the father is useless.

The French sports outlet later distanced itself from the comments and announced the journalist had been suspended from her programme.

Support from the German camp

German midfielder Nadiem Amiri, speaking after Germany's win over Ivory Coast, weighed in to defend Doku. He said he had "no understanding at all for him being criticised". Amiri highlighted the intense and personal nature of childbirth and the husband's role.

All fathers know what a special moment that is. For the birth of his first child, he has to be there. There is also a life beyond football, and in such a difficult — a beautiful, but initially difficult moment, his wife needs him too.

Return for do-or-die New Zealand clash

Belgium have drawn both of their opening World Cup matches, 1-1 with Egypt and 0-0 with Iran, leaving them needing a victory over New Zealand on Friday to be certain of progressing to the knockout stage. Belgian media have described the Iran performance as lacklustre. Doku's return may help solve the team's scoring problems. The federation has already sent representatives to Dallas to prepare for a possible last-16 tie against Australia or Paraguay should Belgium finish second in the group.