Serie A clubs Milan, Cagliari, Genoa, Lecce, Torino, Verona and Udinese will celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend by changing the player names on their shirts.
The initiative will see the jerseys switch from their father’s surname to represent that of their mothers instead.
For example, Milan stars Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud will have ‘Conceicao’ and ‘Viviane’ on the back of their shirts.
It is not just for Mother’s Day, as it also marks the anniversary of a change in the Italian law decided by the Constitutional Court in April 2022.
It was considered unconstitutional that a child is automatically given the father’s surname in official papers, so both parents had to agree on the surname given at birth.
Milan lead Mother’s Day initiative
“We are happy and proud of this initiative, born on a special occasion like Mother’s Day to raise public awareness about the equal right to choose the surname of one’s children,” said Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani.
“We are equally pleased with the attention and enthusiasm with which it has been welcomed by Lega Serie A and the participation of several other clubs in our league. An operation in line with AC Milan’s vision, which has always promoted positive values, such as social and gender equality, to contribute to a common and shared cultural change.”
Other Serie A clubs had also hoped to be part of the project, but according to Sky Sport Italia, it was only announced so late by the Lega Serie A that they did not have time to organise it.
Some have already pointed out the curious sight of Leao in a Conceicao jersey when Milan are trying to secure Sergio Conceicao as their new coach.