The Senegalese public are angry with Bayern Munich’s treatment of Sadio Mane.
Local fans have been stunned by the story of Mane clashing with Bayern teammate Leroy Sane, which left the latter with a bloodied mouth after their Champions League defeat at Manchester City.
Former Liverpool striker Mane was fined €350,000 by Bayern and suspended for one game for his actions. But his fans in Senegal are convinced he’s being scapegoated.
Editor-in-chief Babacar Ndaw Faye, of Senegal’s Emedia, told Foot Mercato: “Here, public opinion has naturally united around Sadio Mané. For several reasons. First because he has acquired the status of ultimate icon in Senegal and if it were necessary to draw a parallel, I would say that it is to the extent of how French opinion had united around Zidane during his attack on Materrazzi.
“Then, because Sadio is known to be a player of great correction, he is criticized for being too nice to the point that it is inconceivable that he could be guilty of such a violent gesture and that to get there, the provocation really has to be of a very high level.
“In this case, if there is one point on which everyone agrees, it is perhaps on the fact that the silence of Sadio Mané and his direct entourage contributes to leaving the vagueness to persist. Discussions about this boil down to the fact that he should have settled the matter in public.
“Now, we know the player, who doesn’t make waves, even if it serves him well, there have been other occasions in the past when everyone expected him to express himself more in public and he didn’t do it though. His attitude in this matter matches his personality. That’s how it is, Sadio is like that.
“Public opinion is very angry with Bayern in the way this affair is handled.”
