LUJAN, Argentina: A new Argentine football team named after Pope Francis and meant to promote non-violence has played its first official match in a regional league - a 2-2 draw that saw four players sent off.

The Papa Francisco team was founded by Jorge Ramirez, an admirer of the pope. It has 47 members and was set up shortly after the archbishop of the city, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, was named pope.

Not always on their best behavior: A Papa Francisco player vies with the two opponents. Credit:AP

Pope Francis is an avid football fan and a supporter of Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo. He has no official connection to the Papa Francisco club.

The semi-professional team plays in the lower regions of the Argentine league system, and chose the nickname, "The Saint of the South." The behaviour on the pitch in the first game against Trefules wasn't particularly saintly, though, as two players from each team were sent off.