Model-turned-referee Mariangela Presicce has vowed that sexist comments will not drive her away from the game she loves.
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Fashion model is also a match officialTakes to the field in Italian footballUsing her profile to promote powerful messagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Presicce, a 20-year-old fashion model from Italy, is often subjected to rude remarks when taking to the field as a match official. She has been told to “go home and cook” by narrow-minded yobs, but insists that she will never turn her back on football.
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Presicce, who has won several beauty pageants and once graced a fashion show wearing her referee kit in a bid to show sexism the red card, has told : “Insults are thrown at me.They tell me to go home and cook, but I move forward against such prejudice. I've been a referee for five years. On the pitch, I hear everything and more, but I won't ever give up. That's how to challenge insults and prejudices.”
THE GOSSIP
She added, having inherited of a passion for football from her father: “People often ask me how I can tolerate insults and much more. And I tell them 'If you have a passion for this sport, you close your ears but not your heart. Otherwise you end up thinking about it and feeling bad about the cruelty that exists'. I only have anger towards these people, but unfortunately we live in a world of labels and without much humanity.”
WHAT NEXT?
Presicce, who took part in Milan Fashion Week, also uses her profile to raise awareness of violence against women. She is making a stand and will continue to attract plenty of support for her cause as she refuses to buckle in the face of discrimination.