Brussels' Budget Minister Sven Gatz has published a new book on RWD Molenbeek (RWDM) to honour the capital's football club's 50th anniversary.
Gatz, who recently made headlines for calling far-right voters "scum," has titled his new book on the Molenbeek team: "RWDM 50 Years: birthday book of a Club for the People."
At the book launch, Gatz stated it was "a book by and for the club's fans."
The club was recently promoted to the Belgian Jupiler Pro League after a lengthy absence. RWDM's traditional rival is Union Saint-Gilloise, which goes back to the 19th century – and is locally known as the Zwanze derby.
The minister is himself a supporter of the club, having grown up in the Etangs Noirs district, close to the team's stadium.
The book goes over the club's history since it was born out of a merger between Royal Racing White and Daring Club de Bruxelles in 1973.
Former RWDM player Johan Boskamp, Brussels region Minister Sven Gatz, former RWDM player Jacques Teugels pose as Gatz presents his book 'RWDM 50 Years' on Brussels' soccer team RWDM, Wednesday 14 June 2023 in Brussels. Credit: Belga /.Adrian Burtin
However, the side's story is "made up of ups and downs," Gatz explained, none more tragic than the club's dissolution in 2002 due to bankruptcy.
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The club under its current form was created in 2015 by a group of investors who wanted to restore the Molenbeek club to its former glory.
This was recently achieved after finishing first in the Belgian Second Division, sealing their return to Belgium's Jupiler Pro League. RWD Molenbeek will now be the third club from Brussels to compete in the top division.
Gatz attributes this "rise from the ashes" to the club's former President Thierry Dailly, who was dismissed a couple of weeks ago by RWD Molenbeek's owner John Textor.
