Bolivian coach steps down after debuting his 12-year-old son

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Julio César Baldivieso has quit as coach of top Bolivia club Aurora after being heavily criticized for playing his 12-year-old son in a premier division game.

Former Bolivia midfielder Baldivieso fielded his son Mauricio on Sunday in the final 10 minutes of Aurora's 1-0 loss to La Paz, making him the youngest ever first-team professional footballer in the world.

The move has caused a furore in Bolivia with much of the media and even his own club questioning the performance and the decision by Baldivieso.

And Baldivieso opted to resign rather than obey orders from the club’s directors to leave the boy out of the squad for their next game. He also withdrew Mauricio, 13 on Wednesday this week, from the club.

"Sadly, a lot of people didn't like my son's debut," angry Baldivieso told reporters. "I'm not going to be told whether I play someone from my family or not.

"The country and the world need to know that in Bolivia talented youngsters get their legs cut off, to make room for foreign players, no doubt, or because of personal grudges."

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