Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mane allegedly punched his team-mate Leroy Sane in the face following their Champions League defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday, according to reports from Sky Germany.
The incident occurred in the dressing room after the match, and left Sane with a bleeding lip. Their fellow team-mates had to intervene and separate the pair.
The argument between the two players reportedly began during the latter stages of the match, which ended in a 3-0 win for City in the quarter-final first leg clash against the German champions at Etihad Stadium.
The altercation has caused shockwaves in the footballing world, with fans and experts expressing their disappointment and concern over the incident.
Many have called for disciplinary action against Mane, who has a history of aggressive behavior on the field.
Upon their return to Munich, Mane was picked up privately from the airport, while Sane took the team bus.
Bayern Munich has not made any official comments regarding the incident, but it is expected that the club will conduct an internal investigation into the matter.
The incident has also sparked debate about the pressure and expectations that professional footballers face, and how this can sometimes lead to emotional outbursts and violent behavior. Many have called for more support and resources to be made available to players to help them manage their mental health and well-being.
The incident comes at a crucial time for Bayern Munich, who are currently in the midst of a tight battle for the Bundesliga title with rivals Borussia Dortmund. The club will be hoping to put the incident behind them quickly and focus on their upcoming fixtures.
As of now, it is unclear what disciplinary action, if any, will be taken against Mane. The incident has certainly cast a shadow over what has been an otherwise successful season for the Senegalese forward, who has scored 21 goals in 32 appearances for Bayern Munich so far this season.