Molenbeek’s municipal council has unanimously approved a motion stating that its agreement with football club RWDM will be terminated if the owner goes ahead with his plans to change its name, removing any reference to Molenbeek. The decision means uncertainty over where the club would play its matches.
Around 100 RWDM fans gathered at Molenbeek town hall on Wednesday evening to voice their opposition to owner and chair John Textor’s plans to rename the club to Daring Brussels, Bruzz reports.
The decision by the American, who also owns Lyon in France, Crystal Palace in England and Botafogo in Brazil, is said to have been influenced by the negative image of Molenbeek and a desire to increase the club’s international visibility.
However, the agreement between RWDM – in full, Racing White Daring Molenbeek – and the municipality regarding the use of the Edmond Machtens Stadium, which is owned by the municipality, states that the club must promote the image of Molenbeek.
We condemn this despicable vision because it reduces a community rich in diversity, culture and history to a mere marketing object
All the councillors present voted on Wednesday evening in favour of a motion stipulating that the municipality will “initiate proceedings to terminate the agreement binding the club to the use of municipal facilities” if Textor goes ahead with the name change.
All options
The motion also states that the municipality is considering all options to guarantee the presence of a club “that truly represents Molenbeek”. Fans have already indicated that they do not rule out reviving the existing name with a relaunched club if Textor goes ahead with his plan and have urged the council to do all it can to prevent the name change.
“Textor’s choice to opt for ‘Brussels’ instead of ‘Molenbeek’ only reinforces the negative stereotypes of the municipality,” they said. “We condemn this despicable vision because it reduces a community rich in diversity, culture and history to a mere marketing object.
If the municipality does not take “strong and visible action in such a symbolic matter”, they said “it will be difficult to promote a positive image of Molenbeek, especially in view of our municipality’s candidacy to become European Capital of Culture in 2030”.
The municipality intends to remain the owner of the stadium. A sale to Textor, which he has reportedly considered in the past, is no longer an option. However, it is unclear if the municipality intends to ban the club from the stadium altogether if the change goes ahead.
“It is unacceptable that a wealthy American pays nothing for the stadium,” said one councillor. “Certainly not when he is treating the municipality with such contempt.”
100 years of history
Supporters heard the news of the name change from club management on Thursday evening.
“The owner is spitting in the face of all the supporters who have always remained loyal to the club and denying the identity and history of this club,” supporter Cem Aydogan told Bruzz. “RWDM is more than 100 years of Brussels history, a club that has ceased to exist twice, but has always been saved by its supporters... Unfortunately, the club is now dying for the third time.”
