By Chris Wright
Papa Francisco FC, in all their heavenly glory
In a simply delicious twist of irony, an Argentinian football team founded in honour of Pope Francis in order to promote non-violence in the sport had two players sent off in their first ever match at the weekend.
Based in Buenos Aires, the club are named “Papa Francisco” as a nod to the pontiff. They also play in the colours of the Vatican City flag and come preaching a message of peace and sporting good nature as an alternative to the violence and gang culture that currently plagues Argentinian football – especially in the lower, regional and inner-city leagues.
Indeed, according to club president and founder Jorge Ramirez, the club’s motto is “No hooligans, no violence and no insults.”
However, Papa Francisco played their first ever game this weekend against local side Trefules… a 2-2 draw that saw four players, two from either side, sent off.
Tut Tut. What would Jesus think?
(Via Guardian/Image: Victor R. Caivano/AP/PA)