Sunderland appeal Dan Ballard red card as FA process and possible outcomes explained | OneFootball

Sunderland have appealed Dan Ballard’s red card for violent conduct at Molineux, a dismissal that currently carries a three-game ban and would end his Premier League season.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats led 1-0 when VAR sent referee Paul Tierney to the monitor. He decided Ballard had clearly pulled the hair of Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare and showed him a red card.

Sunderland maintain the incident was accidental and not violent conduct, and after weighing their options they chose to challenge it. An FA panel will now review the case, which could be upheld or overturned. The panel may uphold the decision but cut the ban if they judge the punishment excessive and the act does not merit three games, or lengthen it if they deem the appeal frivolous.

Head coach Régis Le Bris said the club would look at appealing and felt a three-game punishment was harsh. He praised Tierney as a great referee but argued the rule is hard to apply when contact is unintentional, citing aerial duels and the complications of long hair.

Similar hair-pull appeals by Everton’s Michael Keane and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez have failed this season, both serving three games. A verdict on Ballard is expected before Saturday’s visit of Manchester United to the Stadium of Light.

Source: Sunderland Echo