EFL plans talks with Wolves over link to agent Jorge Mendes

Concerns over Mendes' 'beneficial' links to the Championship club are being looked at by the governing body

Jorge Mendes' close connections to Wolves have come under question (Getty)

The English Football League will remind Sky Bet Championship leaders Wolves to stick to the rules following claims surrounding the club’s connections to agent Jorge Mendes.

Wolves stand six points clear at the top of the table after a 3-0 victory over Leeds at Elland Road on Wednesday night.

Following that game, Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani tweeted: “We have our own problems but we should play in a fair competition.”

He claimed there were “evident benefits” of Mendes having links at Wolves, whose manager Nuno Espirito Santo is among his clients, with Radrizzani suggesting they included “top European clubs giving players with options to buy”.

Radrizzani added: “Congratulations to the best team but hope the league can be fair and equal to all 24 teams.”

Those concerns, and others raised separately earlier in the week, are being looked at by the governing body, who will now take them up directly with Wolves.

The EFL announced: “At its meeting today the EFL board considered at length the matter of the relationship between Wolverhampton Wanderers, majority shareholder of the club, Fosun and Jorge Mendes, in light of the recent concerns raised by a number of clubs.

“It was agreed that the EFL executive will meet with the management of the club to reiterate the requirements of our regulations and those of the FA and will report back to the board in due course.

“It should be noted that the club was explicitly informed in July 2016 of all the requirements it was expected to meet as part of the change of control, and appropriate arrangements were put in place to ensure compliance.

“The club has confirmed that the undertakings given at the time remain in place and are being complied with.”

Gestifute, the management company led by agent Mendes, did not immediately respond when contacted by Press Association Sport for comment.

Wolves boss Nuno, however, was quick to defend his club in light of Radrizzani’s remarks, insisting the club “compete fairly” when speaking following the match at Elland Road.

“First of all, I don’t care. Secondly, what we see on the pitch is a group of hard-working people,” the Portuguese said.

“My only focus is on the game. To go beyond that, it doesn’t affect us. We don’t care because it has nothing to do with us. We compete fairly and we show when we win, we deserve it.”

The chairman of League Two Accrington Stanley, Andy Holt, offered support to Radrizzani.

Retweeting Radrizzani’s post, Holt wrote: “needs saying Andrea. You know and I know other owners feel the same way.”

Wolves this week released financial information for the year ending May 31, 2017.

The club made a pre-tax loss of £23.184million, having previously returned a profit of £5.831million. The results were attributed “largely to increased expenditure on players, player wages, restructuring of the football staff and continued investment in the training facilities at Compton”, a statement on the Wolves website read.

It said owner Fosun International views increased expenditure “both on and off the pitch” as “essential”, with the ultimate aim to secure Premier League football, where Wolves can “enjoy continued growth and sustained success”.

PA