Tensions boiled over at the full-time whistle
Wolves’ Mario Lemina has issued a statement on Instagram following an altercation with his assistant manager.
The Wolves captain was involved in a clash with West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen and one of his own team’s coaches after the full time whistle as his team was beaten 2-1 by the Hammers.
As their teammates separated the pair, both skippers were booked.
The melee erupted after Bowen appeared to try and shake Lemina’s hand, the cameras seemed to cut away as the pair were seen rolling round the floor and had to be dragged apart.
Lemina also went head-to-head with Wolves assistant manager Shaun Derry following the final whistle with teammate Toti Gomes guiding Lemina away from the coach.
Now, the midfielder has apologised for his actions on Instagram.
He said: “I write this message with great hindsight, and I really want to apologise to all the people who love this club and who love football.
“I never wanted this to happen on the ground. I have always been a fair player, even in defeat.
“If something is said, make sure the truth comes out. I shook this player’s hand, as I always do, and I was grabbed by the shirt and thrown to the ground. I just reacted to a situation that I didn’t cause at all.
Mario Lemina’s message on Instagram this morning. 📱 #WWFC | #Wolves pic.twitter.com/kzsyKRz5un
— Talking Wolves (@TalkingWolves) December 10, 2024
“I love my team, the staff and all the people who make up this club. We [are] all gonna fight harder to overcome this situation. Shaun you already know. We gonna fight again and again.”
It was a highly charged game as West Ham looked to get a result for hospitalised striker Michail Antonio who was involved in a serious car accident at the weekend while Wolves were battling to get out of the relegation zone.
The Hammers had two goals ruled out for offside while Wolves had two penalty shouts waved away.
Wolves manager Gary O’Neill was not happy with the decisions that went against his side.
He told Match of the Day: “I will try and go in and have a chat with them [the officials] to get their thoughts on how it ended up where it was. It’s not going to help us.
“We need to find way to turn the game in our favour. A combination of us not quite doing enough and the decisions go with West Ham, we leave with nothing.”
