Vatican Footy club

The Vatican is to offer its backing to an Italian third-division football team in a move it says will promote sportsmanship in the professional game. A sports club affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church is to sponsor AC Ancona, which last played in the top division, Serie A, four years ago.

The Church hopes its venture will highlight ethical conduct in a game many fans feel is dominated by money. Its plans include cutting ticket prices and providing more seats for families.

Ancona players are also scheduled to meet the Pope later in October.

Details of the deal have yet to be finalised, but the Church says it hopes to purge racist behaviour from the stadiums and to penalise fans who taunt or unfurl abusive banners.

The BBC's Rome correspondent, Christian Fraser, says the Church hopes to put some love and fairness into the game and make AC Ancona a global example of sportsmanship.

Players at the club say they do not know how unsportsmanlike behaviour will be penalised.

While the Vatican will sponsor the club, it will not be classed as a shareholder. Some of the money generated may be reinvested in projects in the developing world, our correspondent says.