Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Mario Lemina has apologised to fans for the ill-tempered scenes in which he squared up to coach Shaun Derry and clashed with team-mates following the 2-1 defeat at West Ham United.
Lemina lost his temper after the final whistle at the London Stadium on Monday following an argument with West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen.
The two captains wrestled on the ground following an argument about a post-match handshake and Lemina then shoved team-mates Nelson Semedo and Toti as they tried to calm him down before squaring up to and pushing first-team coach Shaun Derry.
In a post-match interview, Bowen claimed Lemina did not want to shake his hand.
Lemina today wrote on his Instagram account: “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.
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“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, like 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.
“I love my team, the staff and all the people who make up this club. We all gonna fight harder to overcome this situation.
“Shaun you already know. We’re gonna fight again and again.”
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Bowen had earlier scored the winning West Ham goal to increase pressure on Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil.
“I just went to shake his hand after the game,” Bowen said at full time (via PA Media). “He didn’t want to shake my hand, two captains together just to say ‘well done’ after the game.
“I know it’s difficult when you lose. I’ve been on the end of that situation.”
Monday’s 2-1 loss leaves Wolves 19th in the Premier League, four points from safety.
“Mario’s calm now,” O’Neil said following the incident. “He’s obviously a passionate guy. Something was said that upset him.
“Then the instincts of all of the staff and players was to try to make sure that he didn’t get himself in trouble and that we had him available for Ipswich.
“Obviously he took a bit of calming down at that moment but everything’s fine.
“Staff players, everyone understands that things like that can happen, especially in the heat at the moment.”
Wolves return to action against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
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