replicate-filter for a connection name with a dot

In a multi-source replications I have many connection_name's with a dot in the name.
For example public.repl

Now I what to set a replicate-filter like replicate_wild_do_table.
While I have no problem creating the filter using the client and setting

set default_master_connection = 'public.repl'

I cannot set it using .cnf file.
So I have to manually set it on each restart.

I've tried using:

public_repl.replicate_wild_do_table

public-repl.replicate_wild_do_table

and even

public@002erepl.replicate_wild_do_table

following the binary files name convention.