Bayern Munich has taken swift action by suspending star forward Sadio Mané for the upcoming match against Hoffenheim on Saturday, following a heated altercation with teammate Leroy Sané. Mané will also face a club-imposed fine for the incident, which saw the former Liverpool player reportedly punch Sané in the face in the locker room after their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The confrontation between Mané and Sané began on the pitch during the final minutes of the match, with both players visibly frustrated with each other. The disagreement continued into the locker room, where things escalated, resulting in the physical altercation. Sadio Mané joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool in the summer of 2022 for €32.00m, while Leroy Sané made the move from Manchester City in 2020 for €49.00m.
The incident has led some to speculate that the long-standing rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City may have played a part in the tension between the two players, with the animosity carrying over into the Bayern Munich dressing room.
Bayern’s recent struggles have only added to the tension within the team. Since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as head coach, the Bavarian giants have been eliminated from the DFB Pokal and face an uphill battle in the Champions League, trailing 3-0 against Manchester City going into the second leg.
The club’s management will be hoping that the suspension and fine imposed on Sadio Mané serves as a wake-up call for the team and helps to restore harmony in the dressing room. Bayern Munich will need to regroup and refocus as they aim to overcome their recent setbacks and return to their winning ways.
