Model referee! Italian match official Mariangela Presicce promotes powerful message while vowing not to let sexist comments drive her away from football

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.

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 La Reppubblica: “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.”

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.”

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.