India, June 22 -- Belgium and Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has found himself at the centre of an emotional World Cup controversy after a French television presenter criticised his desire to leave the national camp for the birth of his first child.

Doku's wife, Shireen, is expected to give birth in the second week of July, a period that could potentially clash with the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup if Belgium progress deep into the tournament. The 24-year-old has made it clear that, despite the magnitude of the competition, he wants to be present for the birth of his first child.

"It depends on when it happens, but it's my first child, so I would definitely want to be there," Doku said, explaining the personal dilemma facing ...