Jérémy Doku flew to London, watched his son Praise enter the world, and posted one of the more grounded social media statements you'll see from a footballer at a major tournament. Meanwhile, a French TV host was busy telling viewers that childbirth is "a disgusting moment" where "the dad is useless."
France Pierron made those comments on L'Equipe de Choc on Friday, criticising Doku's decision to leave Belgium's World Cup camp to be present at the birth of his first child. The backlash was swift, the apology followed on Tuesday.
"These remarks are solely my own and in no way reflect a collective position," she wrote on X. "I understand that they may have shocked, offended, or hurt some of you, and I am sorry for that."
Her employer, sports daily L'Equipe, distanced itself from the comments over the weekend and issued a direct apology to Doku — which is a fairly remarkable thing for a media outlet to have to do.
Doku's return couldn't come at a better time
Belgium need him back. The Red Devils have drawn both of their opening games — 0-0 against Iran on Sunday (the match Doku missed due to a respiratory illness, before being cleared to travel) and a draw in their opener — and are heading into Friday's clash with New Zealand at BC Place needing a result. Two draws from two at a World Cup isn't a crisis, but it's the kind of start that makes knockout qualification feel tighter than it should.
Doku is one of Belgium's most direct attacking threats, and that directness is exactly what a team short on goals right now needs. His availability for Friday shapes how seriously you take Belgium at this tournament. Right now, their odds to advance deep reflect a group that hasn't clicked — that changes the moment they string together a performance.
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said it clearly: "Having a child is the most beautiful thing in the world... being there as a dad, for myself, I have three and it's memories you can't take back."
Doku put it just as simply: "Welcoming my son into the world is one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. Now it's time to get back to football and represent my country on the biggest stage."
The controversy was always going to land on the wrong side of history. The only thing left to discuss is whether Belgium can actually do something in this tournament once he's back in the squad.
