Ollie Watkins has strongly condemned the media backlash surrounding Jeremy Doku's decision to temporarily exit Belgium's World Cup camp for the birth of his first child.

What happened?

The controversy erupted after a television presenter described childbirth as a "disgusting moment" where fathers are ultimately useless.

Ollie Watkins directly addressed the viral comments, stating that someone labelling birth as disgusting is not the right way to describe it.

Why it matters for Ollie Watkins

As a father of two, Watkins emphasized that the unique experience of a firstborn child should never be overshadowed by professional duties.

He highlighted the emotional toll that footballers face during long, isolated periods away from their relatives.

What comes next?

The off-field debate comes at a tense sporting moment for Belgium, who have heavily flattered to deceive so far at the tournament.

Cautious performances have seen them meander to successive draws against both Egypt and Iran.

The Red Devils now face a must-win scenario against New Zealand in their final group fixture to guarantee knockout stage qualification.

Watkins explained to reporters that welcoming a child to the world is a blessing and that footballers are very privileged men.

He thinks Jeremy Doku has all the right to go back and be there for his child's birth.

Watkins also stated that he doesn't think it's anyone else's business what Doku gets up to after training and if he goes back and does that, it's fair enough.

L'Equipe and the journalist France Pierron have subsequently apologised for the comments.

The controversy began on Friday during a debate on L'Equipe de Choc, where Doku revealed that he might leave his teammates in July for the birth of his first child.

This choice was met with incomprehension by Pierron, who emphasised the unique nature of such an international competition.

Pierron said that participating in a World Cup is a privilege and an incredible joy, and that there are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in Doku's place.

She also stated that it's truly a special moment, a childhood dream come true, but then added that the birth of a child is a disgusting moment where the father is useless.

Watkins sees where Doku is coming from and thinks he has all the right to go back and be there for his child's birth.

He also stated that he's sure Doku will have a lot of support to be able to get back and get there as quickly as possible, make sure he's there to support his partner, and then fly back out.

The debate surrounding Doku's decision has sparked a conversation about the importance of family priorities in the world of football.

Watkins' comments have been well-received, with many praising him for speaking out in support of Doku's decision.

The situation has also highlighted the challenges that footballers face in balancing their professional and personal lives.

As the World Cup continues, it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds and how it affects the teams involved.

For now, Watkins and Doku have made it clear that family comes first, and that's a message that resonates with many fans around the world.

The World Cup is a time for celebration and excitement, but it's also a time for players to prioritize their personal lives and make difficult decisions.

Watkins and Doku have shown that they are committed to their families and their values, and that's something to be admired.

The football world will be watching to see what happens next in this story, and how it affects the players and teams involved.

One thing is certain, though - the conversation about family priorities in football has started, and it's not going away anytime soon.

Watkins' comments have sparked a debate that will continue long after the World Cup is over.

And as the tournament continues, it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds and how it affects the teams and players involved.

But for now, it's clear that Watkins and Doku have made a statement about the importance of family in the world of football.

So, the football world will be watching to see what happens next in this story.

And it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds and how it affects the teams and players involved.