Sadio Mane has been suspended and has been fined after punching fellow Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane in the face, the club have confirmed.
During Tuesday’s clash with Manchester City, Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane were spotted arguing on the pitch and it has been alleged the former Liverpool man attacked his team-mate after the 3-0 loss to Pep Guardiola’s side.
According to reports in Germany, the incident happened in Bayern’s dressing room at full-time. It was claimed that the row was rather brief but loud and unfolded after an on-field spat between the two superstars in the closing stages of the European clash.
BILD reports tensions came to a head when Mane suddenly hit Sane in the face and the Senegalese international is said to have caught his team-mate on the lip. Following the incident, Bayern Munich players had to separate Mane and Sane before the situation calmed down.
The alleged incident comes during a difficult season for Mane, who is enduring a tough time in Germany, where he is now 12 games without a goal.
Both players apologized to their team-mates on Thursday ahead of training, while Mane awaited the club’s punishment. Though there were claims that he could even see his contract terminated – less than a year after joining from Liverpool – the 31-year-old has instead been suspended.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Bayern confirmed Mane would “not be included” for their clash with Hoffenheim on Saturday and “will also be given a fine.”
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has speculated that Mane will not stay in Munich beyond the summer, with there “many players who are critical” of his conduct.
It is sad considering the status he enjoyed at Liverpool, with 120 goals and 38 assists coming in 269 games over a six-year period that saw him win every trophy possible.
Bayern currently leads the Bundesliga, but only by two points over Dortmund, with Union Berlin, RB Leipzig, and SC Freiburg still lurking.
