Sports

‘He is a top professional’: Tuchel defends Mane over bust-up with Sane

Bayern Munich manager, Thomas Tuchel, says the incident between Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane has been “dealt with” after the Senegal star was fined and suspended by the Bundesliga champions.

Tuchel, who said he has known Mane for many years, described the two-time African footballer of the year as “a top professional”.

Mane was suspended for this weekend’s Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim after reportedly having a physical altercation with Sane following Tuesday’s Champions League defeat at Manchester City.

It was learned that Mane struck Sane in the face after the 3-0 loss, leaving the former City forward with a cut lip.

Mane has also reportedly been fined around 500,000 euros ($550,000).

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, April 14, Tuchel said Bayern Munich had “cleared the situation”.

READ ALSO: Bayern Munich suspend Mane over altercation with Sane

He said: “It was a heavy incident – it was very important that it was cleared before the next training session.

“I’ve known Sadio for many years – he is a top professional. He’s never had a situation like that. He is focused on football, he has my full confidence. Everybody has the right to make a mistake.

“This was too much – he apologised and I believe him. It was important that he stays in training, but he is suspended and he will be fined. I don’t know where the money will go, the club and the player will decide. It is not my highest priority.

“It would be nice if things that happened in the locker room stayed in there. We don’t need situations like that to prove our squad is alive. We don’t tolerate things like that,” Tuchel stated.

Mane has struggled for form since returning from a leg injury which forced him to miss last year’s World Cup in Qatar and has not scored since October.

The former Liverpool forward will be available for the quarter-final second leg against Manchester City at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

Bayern were also knocked out of the German Cup by Freiburg in the quarter-finals and only hold a two-point lead over Borussia Dortmund as they chase an 11th straight Bundesliga title.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

Mass burial held for 13 Benue attack victims

Thirteen residents of Efeyi Ugboju community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, who…

3 hours ago

Zimbabwean man sells same tuck shop to four South Africans, disappears

A Zimbabwean man has reportedly sparked a bizarre ownership dispute in South Africa after allegedly…

4 hours ago

Kano pilgrims face Hajj seat loss over passport deadline

Intending pilgrims from Kano State risk losing their slots for the 2026 Hajj if they…

4 hours ago

Tinubu reforms drive Nasarawa’s N90bn infrastructure projects — Sule

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has attributed the state’s ongoing N90 billion infrastructure projects to…

4 hours ago

Kano govt spends N1.5bn on mass wedding, distributes furniture, grants to couples

The Kano State Government has expended N1.5 billion on a mass wedding programme, covering medical…

4 hours ago

2Baba, Natasha spark fresh marital crisis rumours after Abuja nightclub incident

The marriage between Nigerian music star, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, and his wife,…

4 hours ago

This website uses cookies.