Bayern Munich have suspended Sadio Mane after his dressing room bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Manchester City.
The Senegal international punched the German attacker in the face after his side’s 3-0 defeat to City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Etihad.
There were rumours that Mane would have his contract at Bayern terminated following the incident, but the club has opted to suspend him and hand him a fine instead.
Bayern confirmed in a statement that the 31-year-old has been axed from the squad for the crucial Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. They also confirmed that the former Liverpool attacker who earns £17million a year – would receive an undisclosed fine.
“Sadio Mané, 31, will not be in the FC Bayern squad for the home game against 1899 Hoffenheim next Saturday,” a Bayern statement said.
“The reason is misconduct by Mané after FC Bayern’s Champions League game at Manchester City. In addition, Mané will receive a fine.”
Mane and Sane confronted each other as they trudged off the pitch full-time in their match at the Etihad Stadium. The row boiled over when they went down the tunnel and continued into the dressing room, with Mane punching the German, leaving him with a bloodied lip before the pair were dragged away.
According to reports, their teammates are shocked by the incident and irritated with Mane for punching Sane, who was one of Munich’s better players on the night.
However, both players have reportedly made up, and both players were pictured back in Bayern training this morning.
But Bayern are keen to make an example out of Mane in what has been a stormy season within the Bayern camp. As a result, the players expect Mane to leave the club soon.
