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Topics: Bayern Munich, Serge Gnabry, Bundesliga
Josh Lawless
Topics: Bayern Munich, Serge Gnabry, Bundesliga
Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry has been wearing black nail polish in order to raise awareness for physical and sexual violence against young children.
Gnabry scored Bayern's final goal in a 4-1 win over Hertha Berlin in his last game and did so with one of his nails painted black.
But it was anything but a fashion statement from the former Arsenal man. According to German outlet BILD, it's part of a "Polished Man" campaign from YGAP - an international organisation - to take a stand against abuse of all kinds.
Australian actor Chris Hemsworth is onboard and now Gnabry is bringing the issue to light in football.
The reason for painted nails being the symbol of the movement is because YGAP's CEO Elliot Costello had his fingernails painted by a young girl who would lived in an orphanage where he suffered sexual and physical abuse.
He has called on men to do their bit and help protect society's most vulnerable.
On average one in five children before the age of 18 around the world are victims of physical or sexual violence.
"Polished Man is not about pointing the finger when it comes to violence, it’s about empowering everyone to become part of the solution," YGAP's website says.
"Men both perpetrate and experience high levels of violence, and are often unlikely to step forward and ask for help. A world with less violence against children is a world where men are taking an active role in preventing acts of violence, and have space for their own recovery from experiencing violence.
"We believe that men can, and should, be an important part of the conversation and the effort towards ending violence against children. Polished Man is about celebrating men as carers, leaders, and protectors - and importantly, it’s about asking everyone to stand together in protecting society’s most vulnerable: children."
Gnabry had the nail of his left thumb painted in his last outing, while the little finger on his left hand was black during the 5-0 win over Stuttgart last month.
The 26-year-old is involved in a number of charities, including the Common Goal campaign founded by Manchester United's Juan Mata.
As a result, Gnabry donates one per cent of his salary to charity.