Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has broken his silence after the club suspended and fined Sadio Mane for punching Germany star Leroy Sane.
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On Friday, the former Chelsea tactician addressed the drama that took place behind closed doors following Bayern's 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Mane has since been suspended for the team's Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim this weekend, while he has also received a fine for his actions.
While the incident threatens to hamper the Bavarians' run-in to the end of the season, Tuchel is encouraged by the way the players have dealt with the matter.
"That's settled. A game and a fine are the consequences of what happened," he said in a press conference, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
"The way both players involved dealt with it, the way the other players dealt with it, it had a cleansing effect. We had a positive atmosphere yesterday and today.
"I'm here to defend Mane. I've known him for a very long time and only know him as an absolute professional. I also know his entourage. He has never been guilty of anything.
"It was against the code of conduct, he recognised it and apologised."
It is reported Sane pleaded with Bayern to not punish Mane too harshly, with it also believed that the former Liverpool winger has been dealing with the loss of a close family member in recent days.
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