LONDON — French TV host France Pierron criticized Belgium national soccer team forward Jérémy Doku for leaving the World Cup to attend the birth of his child during an appearance on the television show "L'Equipe de Choc" on Friday. Pierron later issued an apology on X on Tuesday for her remarks.

Doku had announced plans to leave the World Cup to be present for the birth of his first child. Pierron stated, "There are hundreds of footballers who would kill to be in your shoes. It might never happen again in your life. You're living out a childhood dream, yet you're going to walk away from it all to attend the birth of your child — a disgusting moment, if you'll pardon the expression, where the dad is completely useless."

L'Equipe, Pierron's employer, issued a statement on Sunday. The statement disavowed Pierron's comments and included an apology to Doku. In her apology posted on X, Pierron said, "These remarks are solely my own and in no way reflect a collective position. I understand that they may have shocked, offended, or hurt some of you, and I am sorry for that."

Doku traveled to London for the birth of his son, Praise, with his wife Shireen. Belgium captain Youri Tielemans expressed support for Doku on Monday. Tielemans said, "I think having a child is the most beautiful thing in the world that you can have, and being there, it's more than normal as a dad, as a mom, obviously. But yeah, being there as a dad, for myself, I have three and it's memories you can't take back. So, yeah, very happy for him."

Doku was cleared to fly to London and traveled with one of the Belgium team's doctors. He missed Belgium's World Cup match against Iran on Sunday due to a respiratory illness, which ended in a draw. Belgium also played to a draw against Egypt in their first World Cup game.

Doku was set to rejoin the Belgium squad in Seattle on Tuesday evening. He confirmed his return to the squad in a statement posted on his Instagram story on Tuesday. Belgium is scheduled to play New Zealand on Friday at BC Place in Vancouver.