Ollie Watkins in passionate defence of Jeremy Doku’s World Cup paternity leave

By Jonathan Veal, Press Association, Kansas City

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.

“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.”