DIRTY TRICKS WON’T WASH Rivals’ attempts to ‘destabilise’ us doomed to fail says Wolves chief

Molineux chairman Jeff Shi.

He said: “I understand why they’re doing that, to try to destabilise us. Some teams are trying to do something to undermine us off the pitch.

“We know we’re purely clean. I told the players we are clear about that. It means we’re doing well if someone wants to attack us.

“We should say very simply it will not work. We will not be affected by that. Football should be focused on the pitch.”

The furore has coincided with Wolves’ worst run of the season, Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa making it just one win from five games.

“I think frankly it’s laughable, because they know nothing about us,” added Shi. “I know everything about the rules of the league and the FA and the EFL knows our dealings, every transfer document, agent fees, all information is recorded in their library.”

Mendes’ clients include Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo. At Wolves he represents head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, midfielder Ruben Neves, attacker Diogo Jota and winger Ivan Cavaleiro, among others.

It is alleged almost half the 25 players signed in the past 18 months have been from his Gestifute agency. Wolves’ Chinese owners Fosun have a stake in Gestifute through a subsidiary.

Promotion rivals Villa have led the complaints, with Leeds also unhappy.