Why Serie A players are wearing red face paint in Week 12

All Serie A players will be wearing a splash of red face paint on their cheeks during the 12th round of league fixtures taking place this weekend to raise awareness for the ‘Un Rosso alla Violenza (‘a red to violence’) campaign. 

This is the ninth season that Serie A has supported the campaign, which aims to raise awareness surrounding physical and psychological abuse towards women in Italy. 

According to statistics provided by the Lega Serie A, 7 million women in Italy, roughly one in three, have suffered some form of harassment or violence in their lives.

Last year, 111 women were murdered in Italy and 96 of those were at the hands of family members or loved ones. 73 women were murdered in Italy in the first nine months of 2025, and 60 of those were by family members or loved ones. 

“Serie A renews its commitment to supporting female victims of violence and once again stands by their side to combat all forms of violence and abuse towards women,” Serie A President Ezio Simonelli said in a statement. 

“The red mark that will be painted on the players’ and referees’ faces is not just a symbol, but testifies the league’s desire to keep the focus on an unacceptable phenomenon in today’s society.”