Sunderland hit by Dan Ballard ban as Premier League explains red card | OneFootball

Dan Ballard is set to miss the rest of Sunderland’s Premier League season after a first-half red card against Wolves, unless any appeal succeeds.

The Premier League match centre said a VAR review led referee Paul Tierney to dismiss the defender for violent conduct after he pulled the hair of Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare.

The officials initially did not spot the incident, and VAR intervened when the ball went out for a throw-in shortly afterwards. Tierney consulted the pitchside monitor before producing the red card.

Violent conduct carries an automatic three-match suspension, which would sideline Ballard for the run-in unless Sunderland lodge an appeal and win it.

Régis Le Bris will be without the centre-back for fixtures against Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea. He could move Nordi Mukiele infield and use Trai Hume or Lutsharel Geertruida at right back, or recall Luke O’Nien.

Source: Sunderland Echo