Radja Nainggolan’s Belgium World Cup axe protested by fans… but just 23 out of 9,000 turn up to event

ORGANISERS were left red-faced when just 23 of 9,000 people turned up in Brussels to protest Radja Nainggolan’s World Cup exclusion.

The popular Roma midfielder was not named in Roberto Martinez’s initial 28-man squad for next month’s tournament in Russia.

Nainggolan is regarded as one of the best central midfielders in Europe.

And his omission infuriated a number of Belgian football fans, who decided to descend on the capital in order to make their feelings known.

A Facebook group saw a whopping 9,000 people mark themselves as ‘attending’ the event on Tuesday afternoon.

But police were able to breathe a sigh of relief when just 23 showed up to complain about Martinez’s decision.

It appears that heavy rain caused many to stay put at home, while the event itself was cancelled on Facebook just hours before it was due to begin.

But those who did turn up were pleased they did, with many upset that Nainggolan won’t be featuring at the world’s greatest tournament.

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Michael Cleiren said: “We are big fans of Nainggolan at home. We have even seen him in real life. It’s a bit disappointing, so few people. But [my son] has never seen the Atomium [tourist attraction].”

Willy Mahoudens added: “I didn’t expect 8,000 men, but a few hundred. But I’m glad that I’m here. I’ve done what was decided in my heart.”