Roma fans are trying to organise a ‘pañolada’ at the Stadio Olimpico against Sassuolo in protest at Jose Mourinho’s touchline ban.

It kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 GMT.

This will be the first of a two-match suspension for Mourinho, who was penalised for his row with fourth official Marco Serra during the 2-1 defeat to Cremonese.

He initially won an appeal to suspend the sentence pending further investigation, so was allowed to sit on the bench against Juventus, but the two-game ban has now been confirmed.

The association of official Roma fan clubs released a statement urging everyone who attends the game at the Stadio Olimpico to bring with them a white handkerchief that will be waved at the starting whistle.

This is a common form of protest in Spanish football known as a ‘pañolada’ – a silent, civilised, but very obvious statement from supporters.

Meanwhile, Mourinho reacted on Instagram by posting an image of himself recreating the famous ‘handcuffs’ gesture that he already used while in charge of Inter over a decade ago.

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