Players such as Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon, Napoli captain Marek Hamsik and AC Milan goalkeeper Marco Storari wore a red stripe in their games, and have also been posting images on social media alongside their wives and girlfriends as part of the #unrossoallaviolenza (a red card against violence) campaign.
Roma's Radja Nainggolan and Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson were among the players on both sides sporting a red smudge on their cheek in support of the campaign during Saturday's early match against SPAL. Udinese's Valon Behrami and Crotone's Rolando Mandragora picrtured above also wore the red streak across their faces.
Players and referees at weekend games were also accompanied onto the pitch by young girls and women who worke the mark smeared on their faces to continue to raise public awareness of violence against women.
The 'Give violence against women the red card' initiative is being organised by the Lega Serie A and the players' association together with Italian humanitarian organisation WeWorld Onlus.
WeWorld Onlus promote and safeguard the rights to inclusion of women, children and teenagers in Italy and throughout the world, on the basic assumption that the safeguard of women’s rights is a mandatory condition to achieve respect of children’s rights and, vice versa, the protection of children’s rights is the most important for the achievement of women’s rights.