Sampdoria used ball girls during a pre-season friendly to promote equality in football.

The females replaced the club's regular ball boys for the Serie A side's 4-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend.

"[I want Sampdoria] to promote positive messages, fair play, social and sporting sensibility. This is a contribution towards a modern sport without prejudice," The Metro quotes club president Massimo Ferrero as saying.

Sampdoria finished 12th in the Italian top flight last season.