Report: Aubameyang was dropped for training tardiness

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is facing the wrath of Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel because he was late for Tuesday’s training session after a private trip to Milan, according to reports relayed by the Associated Press.

The 27-year-old’s exclusion from Dortmund’s matchday squad for Wednesday’s Champions League visit from Sporting Lisbon sparked much confusion on the continent given his free-scoring ways. However, it was later revealed as an “internal” disciplinary decision made primarily by Tuchel.

Related: Aubameyang excluded from Dortmund squad due to ‘internal’ matter

German news agency DPA and two other outlets suggest the discipline was due to Aubameyang’s apparent failure to report to training on time after using his Monday off to visit the capital of Lombardy, where he spent with formative years with AC Milan.

The Daily Mail’s Kit Holden extends the narrative by indicating the Gabon forward “had flown to Italy in his private jet to visit a friend’s birthday party,” with evidence surfacing on Instagram:

He was later pictured in the stands of the Westfalenstadion for the midweek tilt, watching on as Adrian Ramos’ header secured a 1-0 win and progression into the last 16 for Dortmund.

Tuchel did reveal his star striker’s suspension would be short-lived, and Aubameyang would be back in contention for Saturday’s trip to Hamburg.