AC MILAN TAKES THE FIELD WITH MATERNAL SURNAME FOR THE RIGHT TO PERSONAL IDENTITY

On Mother's Day weekend, for the first time in Italian football, AC Milan players will take to the field wearing their mothers' surnames instead of their usual names, aiming to bring attention to personal identity rights for every individual. On 27 April 2022, the Constitutional Court deemed the law imposing automatic attribution of the paternal surname discriminatory. Since 1 June of that year, according to Italian law, both parents must have the right to choose their children's surnames, as a fundamental element of their personal identity.

The special jerseys featuring maternal surnames will be worn by the Men's First Team on Saturday, May 11, during the home match against Cagliari, who enthusiastically joined the initiative along with five other Serie A clubs. As with every game, the jerseys will then be auctioned on MatchWornShirt, with part of the proceeds being donated to Fondazione Milan - on this occasion, the donation will support the "A Goal to Dream" project, promoting female empowerment through sport in Pakistan. The Women's First Team will then sport maternal surnames on Sunday, 12 May, when they face Napoli away.

During the game at San Siro on Saturday, the maternal surnames will be announced alongside the paternal surnames when the line-ups are announced, both by the stadium announcer and on the big screens. Additionally, among the children accompanying the AC Milan players onto the field at the start of the game, the Club will also welcome some young beneficiaries of the "Corner Mom-Child" project promoted by the La Rotonda association, dedicated to supporting mothers with children aged 0 to 2 years. A delegation from this project will be present in the stadium stands to watch the match.

Giorgio Furlani, CEO of AC Milan, stated: "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. 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".

"In my personal and professional growth," added Davide Calabria, captain of AC Milan's men's First Team, "my mother has been the most important person. She sacrificed everything for me, teaching me the spirit of sacrifice and dedication. Wearing her surname on the field this weekend will be a great source of pride for me."

Valentina Bergamaschi, captain of AC Milan's women's First Team, commented: "My mother is the most important woman in my life, and I am proud to represent a Club that, on such a special day, chooses to raise awareness about important issues like the freedom to choose children's surnames. Gender equality also extends to such things."

This initiative, created in collaboration with Serviceplan Italia and promoted by Lega Serie A, aligns with AC Milan's commitment to promoting equity, diversity & inclusion values and contributing to positive change within and beyond the world of football.