Male soccer players in Italy put red marks on faces in campaign to eliminate violence against women

A red mark is painted on the face of AC Milan's Tommaso Pobega to promote International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women during a Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Fiorentina, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

ROME (AP) — Players and coaches across the top men's soccer league in Italy had red marks painted on their faces to promote a campaign for the elimination of violence against women on Saturday.

The initiative coincided with to mark the , just as an Italian man suspected of killing his ex-girlfriend was extradited from Germany.

The slaying of 22-year-old university student , allegedly at the hands of her former boyfriend, sparked outrage across Italy, where on average one woman is killed every three days.

Players and coaches in the Serie A league had the red marks on their cheeks and the initiative will continue for matches on Sunday and Monday.

The slogan for the initiative translated to “a red card against violence.”

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