Sunderland appeal Dan Ballard red card, with FA decision due before Manchester United | OneFootball

Sunderland have lodged an appeal against Dan Ballard’s red card for violent conduct at Molineux on Saturday. Referee Paul Tierney, sent to the monitor by VAR, dismissed the defender for what he judged to be a clear hair pull on Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare with the visitors 1-0 up.

As it stands Ballard faces a three-game ban that would end his Premier League campaign, though the club argue the contact was accidental and not violent. According to Sunderland Echo, they have moved to challenge the decision.

The FA will now consider the appeal, and a panel will decide whether to uphold or overturn the red card. It could also keep the decision but reduce the sanction if three games are deemed excessive, or increase it if the appeal is viewed as frivolous.

After the match, head coach Régis Le Bris said the team would weigh an appeal and called a three-game ban harsh. He said they aim to set the right example, yet felt this was an accidental coming together in an aerial duel with a tall, long-haired opponent, making the rule hard to apply. He also praised Tierney as a top referee while saying the law’s application in this case was tough to digest.

Similar appeals for hair pulling by Everton’s Michael Keane and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez have failed this season, leading to three-game bans in each case. Sunderland believe they have a strong case on intent, and a verdict is expected before Manchester United visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Source: Sunderland Echo