Bayern suspend Mane
LONDON – Bayern Munich have suspended Sadio Mane after his dressing room bust-up with Leroy Sane on Tuesday.
Mane punched his teammate in the face after his side’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Etihad.
The Senegalese star, who was pictured back in Bayern training yesterday morning alongside Sane, has avoided the sack.
But Bayern confirmed in a statement that he had been axed from the squad for the crucial Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena tomorrow. The club also said Mane - who earns £17 million a year - would receive an undisclosed fine.
‘‘Sadio Mane (31) will not be in the FC Bayern squad for the home game against 1899 Hoffenheim next Saturday,’’ Bayern said.
Misconduct
‘‘The reason is misconduct by Mané after FC Bayern’s Champions League game at Manchester City. In addition, Mané will receive a fine.’’
Sane and Mane were seen confronting each other as they trudged off the pitch at the Etihad Stadium and the row boiled over when they went down the tunnel.
As the clash continued into the dressing room, Mane punched the German and left him with a bloodied lip, before the pair were dragged away from each other.
Sane obscured his lip when he touched down in Munich yesterday morning, keen to hide any evidence of the altercation to the cameras.
Bayern’s stars are reportedly shocked by the incident and critical of the Senegalese international for punching Sane, who was one of Munich’s better players on the night.
The German champions were reportedly keen to make an example out of Mane in what has been a turbulent season within the Bayern camp.
As a result, the players do not expect Mane to stay at the club for long.
According to Bild, both Sane and Mane were present for a meeting held between the club’s bosses yesterday.
Sane had been spotted arriving at Bayern’s training ground.
The outlet has also previously valued the forward’s annual salary in the region of £17 million per year.
The fractured dressing room was divided ahead of Julian Nagelsmann’s sudden sacking last month and has continued early into Thomas Tuchel’s reign.
Nagelsmann’s departure could end up costing Bayern £62 million in total, as they must continue to pay his salary until he lands a new job. It also includes the compensation they paid RB Leipzig to get him and the costs to bin off his coaching staff.
Though Mane remains a Bayern player, there will be question marks over his future following the incident and it remains to be seen when he returns to action.