Wolves strip Mario Lemina of captaincy after West Ham meltdown

The decision comes after the midfielder was caught in a post-match tussle with West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen following Wolves' 2-1 defeat to the London side.

Speaking in a press conference, O'Neil explained that Nélson Semedo will captain the side from now on.

He said: "The discussions with Mario were good. We get on very, very well. He's been a big part of what we've been able to do here, and we have a large amount of respect for each other.

"Sometimes you can come out of these discussions in a really good spot, and I think that we have.

"I have a lot of respect for Mario, and what he's still going to be able to do for us. When we get the best out of him on the pitch his level is so high, and he's still going to play a big part for us which he's extremely keen to do.

more premier league

Former Everton player Li Tie jailed for 20 years

Tottenham legends back Postecoglou over Werner performance

"He'll still be around the senior group that leads the team, but at this moment we feel it's best for Nélson to lead the group.

"The most important thing is us getting the best out of everybody - getting the best out of Mario Lemina week in, week out, the same for Nélson and the rest of the group.

"We dealt with it earlier in the week and the focus since has been purely on Ipswich, Mario's ready, Nélson's ready and the rest of the players are ready."

Lemina and Bowen clashed at full-time as they approached to shake hands, with the Gabon international wrestling with the West Ham forward to the ground.

Most read in Football

England boss Tuchel learns 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents and PL pressers

England draw Euro 2024 rivals and European minnows in World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Former Everton player Li Tie jailed for 20 years

Tottenham legends back Postecoglou over Werner performance

His fellow teammates intervened as tempers boiled over, but Lemina then squared up to Shaun Derry - the first team coach.

After the match, Lemina took to social media to apologise, but reiterated that Bowen was to blame.

Writing on Instagram, Lemina posted: "This morning, 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, like I always do and I was grabbed 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 gonna fight again and again."

After scoring the winning goal in the 2-1 win, Bowen spoke after the game about the incident with Lemina: "I just went to shake his hand after the game.

"He didn't want to shake my hand, two captains together just to say 'well done' after the game", he told Sky Sports.

"I know it's difficult when you lose. I've been on the end of that situation" Bowen added.

O'Neil insisted Lemina was 'calm' after the incident, describing the now ex-captain as a 'passionate guy'. "Something was said that upset him" he added.

"The instinct of the staff was to make sure he didn't get into trouble, but he took some calming down.

"Staff, players, everyone understands that things like that can happen, especially in the heat at the moment."

Semedo will captain his side from Saturday onwards, when they face fellow strugglers Ipswich Town.

Wolves fans viciously turn on Gary O'Neill after humiliating 4-0 defeat to Everton as crowd footage surfaces