Thomas Tuchel Defends Sadio Mané After Being Suspended By Bayern For Violating The Code Of Conduct.

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has come out in defence of Sadio Mane, saying that the incident between the Senegalese and Leroy Sane has been “dealt with” following their 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

Mane and Sane were said to have had a bust-up in the dressing room which escalated to a punch on the German's face.

The Africa Cup of Nations winner had since been suspended for one game by the club for violating the code of conduct, and was also reportedly fined around 500,000 euros ($550,000).

Tuchel who only replaced the sacked Julian Nagelsmann last month, revealed that the former Liverpool forward has duly apologized for his behaviour.

READ MORE: OFFICIAL: Sadio Mané Suspended By Bayern Munich For The Next Game After Altercation With Sane . 

Addressing a press conference on Friday, the former Chelsea boss said, “I’m here to defend Mané. 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.

“I am his first lawyer and his first defender. Everyone has the right to make a mistake.

“I have known him for so long, I know his entourage. I know him exclusively as a super professional, I have never, never, never, seen anything that we can blame him for…

 “Of course a limit was crossed that we don’t want and that we didn’t tolerate.

“But we cleared the air. It was against the code of conduct, he recognized it and apologized. The matter is dealt with.”

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

The 31-year-old, was suspended for this weekend’s Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim, but he will be available for the quarter-final second leg against Man City at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.

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.