JEREMY DOKU SAYS HE BEARS NO ILL WILL TO JOURNALIST WHO CRITICISED HIM

Jeremy Doku has stated he holds no anger towards the journalist who criticised his decision to leave the Belgium camp during the World Cup to attend the birth of his first child. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Manchester City winger said he understood the presenter's position and did not want people to be harsh towards her. Doku's wife Shireen was due to give birth during the second week of July, and he told Reuters before the tournament began that he intended to leave camp to be present at the birth regardless of Belgium's progress in the competition.

France Pierron, a presenter at L'Equipe channel, had labelled a father "completely useless" at the time of their child's birth in response to Doku's stated plan. L'Equipe subsequently apologised for Pierron's comments, stating they were "very far removed" from its values. Pierron also apologised publicly but was taken off air until the end of the current season of her show. Doku eventually missed Belgium's 0-0 draw against Iran in the group stage to travel to the UK for the birth of his son, Praise, after initially playing 86 minutes in Belgium's opening 1-1 draw with Egypt.

A Belgium statement said Doku travelled to London with the approval of and accompanied by one of the team's doctors. Doku acknowledged on his channel that some people questioned the timing of events, noting the circumstances appeared "too perfect" to some observers. He expressed that he wished to "pray over" Pierron and said he did not want her to face the consequences she had experienced as a result of her remarks.