Agent Jorge Mendes' relationship with League Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers "was publicly questioned" by League Championship side Leeds United Owner Andrea Radrizzani ahead of an EFL Board meeting on Thursday, which discussed third-party ownership, according to James Dale of SKY SPORTS. The EFL reportedly is aware of the concerns centered around Mendes from "some other Championship clubs over whether Wolves' ownership structure breaks the league's strict rules on third-party ownership." Mendes -- who represents ManU Manager José Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo, among a "huge portfolio of big football names" -- works closely with Fosun Int'l, which owns and runs Wolves. A 3-0 win at Leeds ensured Wolves restored their six-point lead at the top of the Championship on Wednesday, prompting Radrizzani to "query the legality" of Fosun Int'l's shares in Mendes' agency. Radrizzani tweeted, "We have our own problems but we should play in a fair competition. Not legal and fair [to] let one team owned by a fund whom has shares in the biggest players agency with evident benefits (top European clubs giving players with options to buy ..why the other 23 teams can't have same [treatment]?" (SKY SPORTS, 3/8). Radrizzani tweeted a clarification of his comments on Thursday (SBD Global).
HECKINGBOTTOM WEIGHS IN: In Birmingham, Shane Ireland reported Leeds Manager Paul Heckingbottom addressed Radrizzani's comments after his team's loss to Wolves. Heckingbottom: "I don’t pay any attention to it, if I’m honest. It’s nothing that I can influence or affect. I wouldn’t even be able to tell you what the rules are. I wouldn’t have a clue, so, and then I’d just be guessing if Wolves have done anything against the grain or not. All I do know is this league is riddled with teams with more money than others. It will be now, forever, with the parachute payments" (BIRMINGHAM MAIL, 3/8). The PA reported Wolves Manager Nuno "was quick to defend his club in light of Radrizzani's remarks," insisting they "compete fairly." Nuno: "First of all, I don't care. Secondly, what we see on the pitch is a group of hard-working people. My only focus is on the game" (PA, 3/8).
