Follow-up - INA
Belgian star Jérémy Doku has not hesitated to announce his desire to leave the "Red Devils" camp if his wife's due date arrives in early July, coinciding with the World Cup.
Doku told the Belgian newspaper DH, "No father in the world would want to miss a moment like this."
However, this stance was met with a sharp and unexpected backlash in the French media. Presenter France Perron expressed her astonishment and condemnation of Doku's decision, saying, "When fate smiles upon you to participate in the World Cup, at a time when hundreds of players are ready to do anything to be in your place, would you leave all that to witness the birth of your child?"
Perron didn't stop there, but made statements described as shocking and offensive, adding, "Excuse me, but childbirth is a difficult moment, and the father has no use or role in it; he's merely an extra or plays a marginal, insignificant part."
She also said: "You'll waste 10 hours of your time, you'll be exhausted, and you'll suffer a severe emotional shock that will completely take you out of the World Cup atmosphere and your focus on the tournament."
Source: Agencies