Wolves fall apart AGAIN as Rayan Ait-Nouri is held back following late defeat to Ipswich… just days after Mario Lemina was stripped of captaincy due to full time clash with Jarrod Bowen
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Rayan Ait-Nouri had to be held back at full-time after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Ipswich as tempers flared at Molineux.
Ipswich star Wes Burns had his hand on Ait-Nouri’s neck after the match, with the pair having clashed during the match.
Craig Dawson restrained Ait-Nouri, who was shown a red card, and lifted him off the ground to carry him away from the commotion before the full-back was forced through the tunnel.
Wolves teammate Matheus Cunha also had to be restrained as a large crowd of players and staff gathered at the edge of the pitch.
Ait-Nouri was already suspended for Wolves’ upcoming match against Leicester after receiving a fifth yellow card of the season. He then received a second yellow card after full-time for his involvement in the stormy scenes.
The fight marks another high-profile incident for Wolves, who saw Mario Lemina scrapped with Jarrod Bowen after their 2-1 defeat at West Ham on Monday night.
Ipswich’s Wes Burns had his hand on Rayan Ait-Nouri’s neck after Wolves’ 2-1 defeat at home
Craig Dawson dragged Ait-Nouri as tempers flared between the sides at full-time
Gary O’Neil then stripped Lemina of the captaincy during this crucial relegation match against Ipswich.
Nelson Semedo took over the armband, although Lemina still started the match against the Tractor Boys.
The midfielder had wrestled opponent Bowen to the ground as the pair went to shake hands as emotions ran high following West Ham’s win at the London Stadium.
Lemina apologized earlier this week, but boss O’Neil revealed Semedo would take over the armband in the future.
O’Neil said at his pre-match press conference: ‘The conversations with Mario were good. We get along very, very well.
‘He has played a major role in what we have been able to do here and we have a lot of respect for each other. Sometimes you can come out of these discussions in a really good place and I think that’s true.
‘I have a lot of respect for Mario and what he can still do for us.
“If we get the best out of him on the pitch, his level is so high and he will still play a big role for us, which he really wants to do.
Several players and staff were seen fighting at Molineux
Ait-Nouri was shown a red card and will miss Wolves’ next match against Leicester City
Mario Lemina was stripped of the captaincy after rushing over Jarrod Bowen on Monday
“He will still be in the senior group leading the team, but at the moment we feel it is best that Nelson leads the group.
“The most important thing is that we get the best out of everyone – get the best out of Mario Lemina week in, week out, same for Nelson and the rest of the group.
‘We dealt with it earlier this week and the focus since then has been purely on Ipswich: Mario is ready, Nelson is ready and the rest of the players are ready.’
The defeat to Ipswich puts further pressure on O’Neil, who held the lead after the loss to West Ham despite that encounter being dubbed ‘El Sackico’ due to his and Julen Lopetegui’s precarious situation.
Mail Sport understands that Wolves have started an active search for his replacement.
More to follow.