Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa has asked his team's fans to ignore Roma's Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah when the two teams meet on Sunday in the Serie A.

The Egyptian star will be on the spot as it will be his first confrontation with his former team’s fans since snubbing the opportunity to remain with the Viola for another stint.

"It is normal for a player to be jeered when he faces his old club, but often indifference is a far stronger message than jeers," Sousa said in a press conference on Saturday.

"Our fans should use their energy towards cheering us on. They will of course make their own decisions and express themselves as they see fit," the coach added.

Recent reports in Italy claimed that Fiorentina fans are planning to whistle the Pharaohs star at every minute of their game against AS Roma on Sunday in the Serie A.

According to Italian newspaper La Republica, the fans have a grudge against the 23-year old winger who made a huge impact at the Violas during a six-month loan spell but declined to extend his stay in order to move to Roma this season.

Fiorentina filed a complaint to FIFA against Salah and his former team Chelsea claiming they had the right to sign the player on a permanent basis after taking the buy-out options. A decision has yet to be made.

Roma signed the international winger this summer on loan before revealing that they made the deal permanent for a reported fee of 20 million euros.

Salah scored four goals in eight league appearances this season.

Fiorentina currently ranks at the top of the Serie A table with 18 points, one point ahead of second-placed Roma.

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