Support for Jeremy Doku Amid Childbirth Criticism

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is facing a controversial situation as he expresses his desire to attend the birth of his first child. Doku, who is currently with the Belgium national team, has made it clear that he prioritizes family over football. This decision has sparked criticism, particularly from L'Equipe channel presenter France Pierron, who dismissed the role of fathers during childbirth.

L'Equipe issued an apology for Pierron's remarks, acknowledging that they did not reflect the channel's values. The presenter also apologized for her comments, which were described as "very far removed" from the station's ethos. Despite the criticism, the football community has largely rallied behind Doku. He played in Belgium's opening World Cup match against Egypt but missed the subsequent match against Iran due to illness.

Doku's family-first stance has been backed by fellow footballers, including England's Ollie Watkins, who emphasized the uniqueness and importance of witnessing the birth of one's first child. The Professional Footballers' Association also supported Doku, stating that players should be able to balance their professional duties with significant family events. The Fatherhood Institute, which advocates for active fatherhood, echoed these sentiments, comparing the demands on footballers to those of gladiators in ancient times.

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The issue of paternity leave in football remains a topic of debate, as FIFA currently has no specific regulations regarding leave for male players. In contrast, female footballers are entitled to a minimum of 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. This gap highlights the challenges male players face in balancing their career and family life.

Historically, several players have chosen family over football, such as Fabian Delph during the 2018 World Cup and David Silva during his time at Manchester City. Others, like Ruben Neves and Leo Ostigard, have experienced the birth of their children remotely due to professional commitments.

The support for Doku's decision underscores the growing recognition of the importance of family within the football community. As Thomas Frank, a former manager and current pundit, stated, "Football is the most important of not important things," emphasizing the value of being present for family events like childbirth. Doku's decision to prioritize family is seen as a step in the right direction, reinforcing the human side of professional athletes.