AC Milan announced the return of their innovative Mother’s Day celebration where players from the men’s first team will wear jerseys displaying their mothers’ surnames rather than their own during the Serie A match against Bologna on Friday, May 9th. The maternal surnames will feature prominently throughout the matchday experience, appearing in the official lineup announcements, on San Siro’s giant screens, and in announcements read by the stadium presenter. AC Milan were the first Italian club to do this initiative last season.
The initiative will see Fondazione Milan support 70 teenage mothers via a fundraising campaign.
“Fondazione Milan will support around 70 teenage mothers through a fundraising campaign in aid of a parenting support programme run at the Spazio Indifesa Hub in the Gallaratese district of Milan. Managed by Terre des Hommes and opened in 2021 with the support of the Foundation, the Hub provides vital services to young mothers in need,” reads the statement posted by AC Milan.
A portion of the proceeds from the auction of match-worn shirts and Mascot experiences – generously provided by ComAve, AC Milan’s Global Partner and Shopping Experience Platform Partner – will go towards the fundraiser. Purchases of items from the Club’s new Women’s Collection made in physical and online stores between Friday, May 9, and Sunday, May 11, as well as tickets to the Mondo Milan Museum during the AC Milan vs Bologna matchday, will also contribute to the cause through a share of the proceeds. Some children from the Spazio Indifesa programme will also have the unique opportunity to walk onto the pitch with the players ahead of Friday’s match
The jersey tradition brings attention to the Constitutional Court ruling no. 131 of 2022, which declared the automatic assignment of only the father’s surname to newborns discriminatory, giving Italian parents equal opportunities in naming their children. Despite this legislative change, public awareness has remained low across Italy. By utilizing the massive platform of Serie A football, Milan are leveraging sport’s cultural influence to highlight an important advancement in gender equality.
The Mother’s Day celebration will commence with the Serie A match against Bologna on Friday and continue throughout the weekend. Special invitations to watch from the VIP Lounge will be reserved for mother-and-child Rossoneri pairs, while children from the Spazio Indifesa program will have the unique opportunity to walk onto the pitch with players before kickoff.
