BRUSSELS, April 2 (Reuters) - Belgium will be sticking with its nickname of the 'Red Devils' at the World Cup finals despite complaints from South Korean church groups, the Belgian football federation said on Tuesday.
Just two months ahead of the finals in South Korea and
Japan, Belgium have reportedly angered religious groups in the
co-host nation, where more than a quarter of the population are Christians.
'Devils are the enemies of Christians,' ecumenical leader
Shin Hyon-Kyun was quoted as saying in the newspaper La Libre
Belgique.
Along with other Christian groups, he is hoping the Red
Devils will adopt another name such as the 'Red Tigers' or any
title without religious connotations.
But the Devils will not be converted.
'We've had the name for about 70 years and until now no-one
has complained,' federation spokesman Nicolas Cornu told Reuters
on Tuesday. 'I think we'll be sticking to it.'
Cornu said the team, playing in their traditional red
shirts, have been called Red Devils by their opponents due to
their courage and fearless style of play since the 1930s.
He said the nickname had now been officially registered.
Belgium kick off their World Cup campaign against Japan in
Saitama on June 4 before taking on Tunisia in Oita on June 10
and Russia in Shizuoka on June 14.
- NEWS
