Joe Hart questions Dan Ballard red card for hair pull in Sunderland draw with Wolves | OneFootball

Joe Hart has questioned Dan Ballard’s red card for a hair pull in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw at Wolves, calling the decision harsh. The defender was dismissed in the first half at Molineux after referee Paul Tierney consulted the pitchside monitor and ruled he had pulled Tolu Arokodare’s hair, leaving the visitors with 10 men before a second-half equaliser.

“In the 24th minute of a Premier League game, do you want someone getting sent off for that? For violent conduct? I’ve seen a lot more violent things happen this weekend, and nothing punished for it.” The comments were made on BBC Match of the Day.

Black Cats head coach Régis Le Bris said they understood the law and praised Paul Tierney, but felt the application was hard to take. He argued Ballard did not act intentionally during an aerial duel with a powerful striker and added that long hair can make defending difficult under the current wording.

Ballard is likely to miss Sunderland’s final three matches, with the offence expected to be classed as violent conduct that carries an automatic three-game suspension.

Earlier this season, Everton’s Michael Keane was sent off for pulling Arokodare’s hair in a draw against Wolves, and an appeal was rejected. That strict reading means Sunderland could be without Ballard for the remainder of their campaign.

Source: Sunderland Echo