Florenzi's 13th-minute goal was marked by an emotional celebration in the stands. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images

Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi faces punishment for his unorthodox celebration on Sunday, when he ran to hug his grandmother in the crowd after scoring in his side's 2-0 win over Cagliari.

Florenzi, 23, was shown an obligatory yellow card when he returned to the field of play having leapt over the perimeter fencing to reach his elderly relative, who was in the Stadio Olimpico for the first time to see her grandson play.

He will now be fined for breaking the club's code of conduct, which punishes players for picking up avoidable bookings.

"My gran's fantastic," Florenzi told Sky Sport Italia. "It was her first time here. She never came to watch me play even when I was a kid and it would have been easy. This time she's come all this way at the age of 82.

"She told me after I missed that chance for the national team that she would come to the stadium just to see me, but that I had to go and say 'hi' to her."

He delivered on his promise, even if it incurred a club sanction.

"He's going to pay a fine," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. "But he will be happy to pay it.

"It was a beautiful image, to see his grandmother so delighted and moved. I love to see moments like this."

Florenzi's goal helped Roma to joint-top of Serie A with champions Juventus after three wins out of three this season.