London: British comedian Russell Brand has claimed soccer has replaced religion in the UK.
The 40-year-old comedian is an avid follower of West Ham United and has opened upon about his deep-rooted love of soccer in support of a new documentary film about former England captain Bobby Moore, reported Contactmusic.
"The managers can change, the players can change, the kits can change, the sponsors can change, the grounds change ... the only thing that doesn't change is us!
"I can't go, 'You know what, I might start supporting Spurs, or I'll give Rangers a go this week'. The only constant is that fans is short for fanatic, as an extreme form of devotion.
"That's where we've been trained to be part of a community - sing together, pray together, cry together. And in a secular culture where the church has been devalued and isn't trust, then where else are you going to do that?"
