Ollie Watkins has defended Belgium winger Jeremy Doku for planning to return home from the World Cup to attend the birth of his first child.
Doku has revealed he intends to travel back to Europe during the second week of July, which would see him miss a potential quarter-final.
French television presenter France Pierron said it would be a “disgusting moment” and the father is “completely useless” during their child’s birth, though she has since apologised.
But Watkins, who is a father of two, said: “Someone labelled it ‘disgusting’. For a start, that’s not a way to label a birth.
“I have two kids. I’ve seen what my wife had to go through in birth, and that was quite smooth sailing. I know family members and friends that haven’t had it that way. Your first child, welcoming them to the world is a blessing.
“There’s a lot of times where you’re away from family and friends during the season and it’s very difficult periods.
“So to miss that would be tough. I see where he (Doku) is coming from. He has all rights to go back and be there.
“We’re very privileged men at the end of the day, and I’m sure he will have a lot of support to get there as quickly as possible, make sure he’s there to support her and then fly back out.
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“I don’t think it’s anyone else’s business what he gets up to after training.
“If he goes back and does that, I think that’s fair enough. I would want to do it. I’ve got two kids and I don’t see the problem with it.”
PFA release statement on Jeremy Doku
As shared by the BBC, the Professional Footballers’ Association have released a short statement in support of the Belgium and Manchester City star.
“While every situation is different, we believe players should be supported in balancing their professional responsibilities with important life events.
“Supporting players as people, not just athletes, is an important part of creating a healthy professional working environment.”
Deputy chief executive of The Fatherhood Institute, Jeremy Davies, also came to the 24 year-old’s defence.
“It makes me think of gladiators in the Colosseum,” he said. “We want these men to be these heroic figures who exist for our entertainment. They get paid lots of money but there are some things that are worth a lot more.”
Has a player ever left the World Cup before?
In fact, several players down the years have missed matches for club and country due to their partners giving birth.
FIFA regulations do not have any specific rules surrounding paternity leave, but England midfielder Fabian Delph left the 2018 World Cup in Russia to return to the UK for the birth of his daughter.
“Gareth Southgate has been fantastic,” he said.
“There’s nothing more important than family to me – family always comes first and always will.”
Ranking every player in England’s 2026 World Cup squad from 1 to 26
All 26 players in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup have been ranked by their level of importance to Thomas Tuchel.
However, not all players decide to be present for the life-changing event, and Norway player Leo Østigård followed his child’s birth through Facetime while in North America for the 2026 World Cup.
