Sunderland’s Le Bris hits out at ‘unclear’ hair-pull rule after Ballard red at Wolves | OneFootball

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris said the rules are 'unclear' after Dan Ballard’s hair-pull red card at Wolves. ExpressAndStar.com reports that he has questioned the law’s clarity.

Sunderland led 1-0 when Ballard was shown a straight red at Molineux last weekend for pulling Tolu Arokodare’s hair, and Wolves later levelled to draw 1-1.

It was the second time this season an opponent has been dismissed for pulling Arokodare’s hair, after Michael Keane saw red for Everton in January. The issue has stirred debate across the Premier League.

Le Bris said Sunderland were disappointed. He believed Ballard was trying to grab the shirt in a physical duel, and that Arokodare’s long hair became caught without intent. He added that while the referee applied the law, the wording of the rule still lacks clarity.

Ballard’s season is now over, with the offence carrying a three-game ban for violent conduct after Sunderland’s appeal failed.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com