An Argentinian team named after pope Francis and meant to promote non-violence have played their first match in a regional league … a 2-2 draw in which four players were sent off.

The Papa Francisco team was founded by Jorge Ramírez, an admirer of the pope. It has 47 members and was set up in meetings at Ramirez's house near Buenos Aires, shortly after the archbishop of the city, cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, was named pope. Pope Francis is an avid football fan and a supporter of the Buenos Aires club San Lorenzo. He has no official connection to the Papa Francisco club.

The semi-professional team play in the lower regions of the Argentinian league system, and chose the nickname The Saint of the South. The behaviour on the pitch in the first game against Trefules was not particularly saintly, as two players from each team were sent off. "Our motto is no hooligans, no violence and no insults," said Ramírez, the club president.

The club could serve as a much-needed antidote for Argentinian football, which is plagued at all levels by violence and gangs known as barras bravas. Violence is endemic in football and the Argentinian Football Association has been criticised for doing little to stamp it out.

The club was almost named Real Buenos Aires, in honour of Real Madrid but eventually the idea of naming a club to honour the Argentina-born pope prevailed. The first match was played appropriately in Lujan, a site revered by local Catholics. Its famous Basilica of Our Lady of Lujan could be glimpsed from the playing field.

Several players acknowledged it may be difficult to always be on their best behaviour. "It will be a complicated thing if we insult others," said the midfielder Fabian Gaddi, "but the pope is Argentinian and he knows and understands us."