Inter manager Jose Mourinho has received a three game ban and was fined 40,000 EURO after strongly criticising official persons

Jose Mourinho made "handcuffs" gesture after Inter's players Samuel and Cordoba were sent off and Samuel Eto'o got yellow card against Sampdoria.

The gesture has been interpreted as a way of suggesting his side have been victimised by referees in Serie A.

Mourinho had also insulted the officials at half-time on the way to the dressing room.

Samuel and Cordoba were both sent off in the first half of the match, while Eto'o was booked for allegedly diving.

When Eto'o received the yellow card, Mourinho sparked and while laughing he made the handcuffs gesture in front of photographers and TV cameras.

Mourinho - did not speak to the media after the match against Sampdoria.

Serie A officials said the punishment came after Mourinho had "repeatedly challenged the officials, especially by mimicking handcuffs with his wrists and arms crossed, and faced the crowds and television cameras... Also, he insulted the referee and his assistants in the tunnel and also repeatedly insulted officials."

"Each time there are over-the-top gestures or comments it creates exasperation," Italian Football Association president Giancarlo Abete told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport's website.

"This is a delicate phase of the season, we need respect for everyone else because over-excited football is no good."

Defenders Samuel and Cordoba received one-game bans for their dismissals but their Inter team-mates Esteban Cambiasso and Sulley Muntari were given two-match bans for off-the-field incidents in the fiery encounter.

Cambiasso was punished for trying to punch an opposition player in the tunnel at half-time, while Muntari swore at the fourth official.

Inter are five points ahead of Roma at the top of the Serie A.