Investigation dropped into links between Mendes, Wolves

LONDON (AP) - The relationship between agent Jorge Mendes and England's second-tier champion Wolverhampton Wanderers is no longer the subject of an investigation by the country's soccer authorities.

Some of Wolves' rivals have raised concerns about the perceived influence of Mendes, who has several clients at the club - including head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and record-signing midfielder Ruben Neves. In 2015, Mendes agreed to sell a minority share of his firm to a subsidiary of Fosun International, the Chinese company that has owned Wolves since July 2016.

The English Football League said Wednesday it has concluded discussions with Wolves and "it has been determined that Mr. Mendes holds no role at the club." Mendes, therefore, will not be categorized as a "Relevant Person' under regulations and there is no requirement for him to undergo the owners' and directors' test

Wolves leads the second-tier League Championship by 12 points with two games left, and has already sealed its return to the Premier League after an absence of six years.

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani was among those to raise concerns about Mendes' perceived influence at Wolves, saying there were "evident benefits" of the agent having links with the Midlands club.

Mendes' most famous clients are Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.