Bayern Munich have confirmed that Sadio Mane has been suspended by the club after allegedly punching teammate Leroy Sane in the face following Tuesday's Champions League defeat against Manchester City.
The 31-year-old came on as a substitute for the final 20 minutes of Bayern's 3-0 quarter-final first-leg loss at the Etihad Stadium, and was seen arguing with Sane – who played the full 90 minutes – during the closing stages of the match.
Sane was arguably Bayern's most dangerous forward in the defeat against his former club Man City, who secured a commanding three-goal victory courtesy of strikes from Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Braut Haaland.
It is understood that Senegal international Mane, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, was unhappy with the way that Sane spoke to him after the defeat.
The heated exchange between the two forwards continued as they entered the dressing room at full time, and reports in Germany claim that Mane punched Sane in the face before teammates intervened to break up the melee.
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Sane is said to have been left with a bleeding lip and was seen hiding his bottom lip as he took the team bus after arriving in Munich, while Mane was picked up privately at the airport.
Both Mane and Sane were pictured training with the rest of the first-team squad at Bayern's Sabener Strasse training base on Thursday morning, and the former is said to have apologised to the entire squad for his actions.
Bayern have since released a statement confirming that Mane will now miss Saturday's Bundesliga match at home against Hoffenheim and their No.17 has also received a fine.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Sadio Mane, 31, will not be included in the FC Bayern squad for this Saturday's home match against 1899 Hoffenheim.
"This is due to his misconduct after Bayern's Champions League match at Manchester City. Mane will also be given a fine."
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Reports in Germany claim that Bayern have considered all options with regards to Mane's punishment including the possibility of selling the Senegal international this summer, but they have decided to sanction him with a suspension and fine for the time being.
After six successful years at Liverpool, Mane decided to seek pastured new and join Bayern last summer in a deal worth around £35m, penning a three-year deal worth a reported £250,000 per week.
However, the forward has failed to reach the heights expected in Bavaria, contributing with 11 goals and five assists in 32 appearances across all competitions.
It remains to be seen whether Mane will be reintegrated into Thomas Tuchel's first-team squad for the return fixture against Man City at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday.
Oliver Thomas
