MADRID, July 11 - Primera Liga side Getafe's use of a series Biblical references in their proposed television campaign to lure season tickets holders for next season drew criticism from the Catholic Church on Wednesday.

The advert depicts Jesus Christ on the cross, Moses in the wilderness and Adam in the Garden of Eden, among others, and all are shown refuting their devotion to God saying they would only sacrifice themselves for their team.

"It has caused a sense of unease. Alongside the public outcry that considers the images irreverent and blasphemous, the national media have noted their provocative and controversial nature," said a statement from the diocese of Getafe carried by the Europa Press news agency.

The diocese recognised the video, which was given a trial showing at Getafe's stadium on Tuesday, was the work of a marketing company and that neither the business nor the club were seeking to offend Christians.

But the fact remained, they said, that the images were "offensive".

Getafe are a modest club based just to the south of the Spanish capital Madrid, and finished ninth in the Primera Liga last season.