Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was suspended for Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League tie because he went to a PARTY in Italy
Striker may have scored 10 in 13 games this season, but coach Thomas Tuchel binned him for Sporting Lisbon clash after unsolicited trip abroad
PIERRE-Emerick Aubameyang was suspended by Borussia Dortmund for their Champions League tie with Sporting Lisbon after going to a PARTY in Italy.
The Gabonese striker may have scored 10 in 13 games this season, but he fell out with boss Thomas Tuchel after the unsolicited trip abroad on Monday.
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He was banished by Tuchel from their Champions League squad on Wednesday night for what the club described only as "internal reasons".
And the club's leading scorer, a target for a host of Premier League clubs including Manchester City, was forced to watch Dortmund's 1-0 win from the stands - wearing a grey trilby hat.
Rumours were rife that the decision, made on Tuesday, was because Aubameyang used his phone during a team meeting.
But it was revealed he was berated in front of his teammates after heading to north-west Italy on Monday for a POOL PARTY.
The striker, who came through the youth system at Italian giants AC Milan, headed to a party with friends at a luxury hotel in Varese.
Pictures on Instagram show the striker partying with friends and family on what appeared to be someone's birthday.
He was told that he would play no part against Sporting but that he must attend the game - which he left inside the final 10 minutes, as Dortmund won a dull match to move top of Group F and secure qualification to the knockout stages.
Tuchel was furious with Aubameyang as he believes he is a player who should be acting as a role model and leader by other members of his inexperienced side.
Speaking after the victory, BVB boss Tuchel said of his absence: "It was very difficult to do without him.
"But it was that I had no choice. The decision was made on Tuesday afternoon. In the next game, he will be back.
"But, internal reasons means internal. I do not account for speculation."
Aubameyang will return to the squad for the Bundesliga clash with Hamburg at the weekend, CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke later confirmed.
Watzka said: "The internal reasons are exactly that, internal. I will not say anything. But the good thing is he will be fresh against Hamburg. He will be back in the squad against Hamburg."
Aubameyang hit 39 goals in all competitions for BVB last season and has followed it up with 10 in 13 so far this term.
He has been linked with a move away in recent months, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City believed to be keen.
Dortmund have been poor in the league this season, failing to win at all in October - leaving them sixth in the Bundesliga table, already eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich.