Brussels, June 23 — Nearly 400 passionate supporters of Racing White Daring Molenbeek (RWDM) took to the streets of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean on Sunday afternoon, marching in protest against the controversial rebranding of their beloved football club to “Daring Brussels.”
The demonstration, held near the Edmond Machtens Stadium, follows the unexpected announcement on 6 June by American club owner John Textor, who unilaterally decided to change the historic name and logo of the club.
The move has sparked outrage among loyal fans, who argue that the decision was made without any consultation and disrespects decades of sporting and community heritage.
Waving RWDM flags and banners reading “Not in Our Name” and “RWDM Forever,” the demonstrators voiced their frustration over what they see as an erasure of their club’s identity. “This is more than football,” said Kevin Meyvaert, a supporter for 35 years.
“It makes you really angry that one isolated person owning the club has more influence than people who’ve been here for decades. Five years ago, Textor probably hadn’t even heard of RWDM.”
The rebranding, which also included an aesthetic overhaul of the club’s visual identity, has been widely condemned by fans and former players alike. Supporters have rallied around an online petition demanding a reversal of the changes — a petition that has already garnered nearly 3,000 signatures.
Notable signatories include Belgian football figures Franky Vander Elst, Johan Boskamp, Hugo Broos, and former RWDM goalkeeper Anthony Sadin.
In an open letter to the club’s management, fan groups are calling for the reinstatement of the RWDM name and logo, as well as a formal structural role for supporters in decisions that impact the club’s identity.
“RWDM is a popular institution, not a private toy or a rebranded American product,” said one organiser during the protest. “We demand respect for the club’s heritage, and for the community that built it.”
Many see the club as an essential part of the fabric of Molenbeek, a working-class Brussels municipality with a deep-rooted football culture.
“RWDM is not just a name,” said another protester. “It’s an identity marker for thousands — youth, families, and residents who have grown up with this club. This is a brutal change, and it threatens what makes this club special.”
Since taking over the club, Textor has promised to modernise RWDM and position it more competitively on the European stage. However, critics argue that this goal must be balanced with preserving the club’s soul and respecting the voices of its most loyal followers.
So far, Textor and the club’s management have not responded to the demands or the protest. But fans vow to continue their campaign until the historic name and logo are restored. As chants of “RWDM pour toujours!” echoed through the streets on Sunday, it was clear that the battle for the club’s identity is far from over.
