Belgian winger Jeremy Doku has urged people to show understanding towards a French journalist who criticised his decision to leave his team’s camp to support his wife during childbirth at the World Cup.
The Manchester City forward said he disagreed with the widespread backlash against the journalist, insisting that people should not be too quick to judge her over her comments.
Doku explained that although many people reacted strongly to the criticism, he did not want to join those attacking the journalist because they were unaware of her personal experiences and background.
“I saw the reactions to what the French journalist said and I saw everyone attacking her, but I don’t want to attack her in that way,” Doku said.
“I don’t want people to be too harsh on her because we don’t know what she has been through in her life,” he added.
The controversy started after the journalist questioned Doku’s decision to temporarily step away from his national team duties to be with his wife during the birth of their child while Belgium were competing at the World Cup.
READ ALSO: Jeremy Doku returns to Belgium camp after birth of son
The comments sparked debate among football fans, with many defending Doku’s decision and criticising the journalist’s remarks. Reports later indicated that the journalist lost her job following the public reaction.
However, Doku said he never wanted such an outcome and stressed that he was not against her personally.
According to him, expressing an opinion, even one that attracts disagreement, should not automatically lead to severe consequences.
“That was her opinion, and I learned that she was fired from her job, but I never wished that for her. I’m not against her; she simply expressed her opinion,” he said.
