Sadio Mane allegedly attacked team-mate Leroy Sane after Bayern Munich's 3-0 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad on Tuesday night.
According to reports in Germany, the sensational incident happened in Bayern's dressing room at full-time. It's claimed the row was 'short' - but 'loud' - and unfolded after an on-field spat between the two superstars in the closing stages of the European clash.
Former Liverpool forward Mane was brought on for emerging talent Jamal Musiala in the 69th minute. Moments later, Mane and Sane were spotted arguing on the pitch after a breakdown in communication, with the latter eager to impress against his ex-club City.
It is claimed the two continued rowing in the dressing room, with Mane complaining about the way Sane spoke to him. According to BILD, tensions came to a head when Mane 'suddenly' hit Sane in the face. Mane is said to have caught his team-mate on the lip.
That allegedly led to Bayern's players separating Mane and Sane before the situation calmed down. Mirror Football have contacted Bayern for comment.
The alleged incident comes during a difficult season for Mane, who is enduring a tough time in Germany. The Senegal international, 31, completed a transfer from Liverpool to Bayern last summer but has scored just six Bundesliga goals since, with a leg injury hampering his progress.
Mane's lack of form saw him start the first leg of Bayern's Champions League quarter-final against City from the bench. It would've been unthinkable for Mane, who finished second in last year's Ballon d'Or vote, to be dropped for such a game at Liverpool.
The reported spat is also not a good look for Sane, who has also failed to set the world alight since his transfer from City to Bayern during the summer of 2020. Now 27, the Germany international is running out of time to leave his mark on the European game.
Sane would've been keen to make an impact against City, but he failed to do so. The Premier League champions stormed to a 3-0 victory after goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland. Pep Guardiola will be looking forward to reaching the semi-finals.
Another person who will be reeling from the alleged incident is Thomas Tuchel, who succeeded Julian Nagelsmann as Bayern manager last month. Bayern were recently dumped out of the DFB-Pokal by Freiburg, with a Champions League exit on the horizon.
"I try to not allow my players to focus on the result," Tuchel, who now finds himself with another problem on his hands, told reporters on Tuesday night.
"I think it is not a deserved result, it does not tell the story of this match. We played with personality, courage and a lot of quality but we didn't get the rewards we deserved. This does not feel a 3-0, but it is a 3-0. It is a huge task to turn it around but we will not give up."
