The Belgian soccer federation congratulated Jérémy Doku on the birth of his son, Praise, on Monday, one day after a French media organisation’s apology following a commentator criticising the player’s intention to leave the World Cup for the birth.

Doku missed the team’s 0-0 draw against Iran on Sunday because of a respiratory illness but was cleared to fly back to London so he could be with his wife.

“As he had already been receiving the appropriate medical treatment for several days, he was able to fly without any medical risk in order to be with his family during this very special moment,” Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene said in a statement.