Joe Hart defends Dan Ballard after hair-pull red card in Sunderland draw at Wolves | OneFootball

Joe Hart has questioned the red card shown to Dan Ballard in Sunderland’s 1-1 draw at Wolves, calling the decision harsh and raising consistency concerns.

Ballard was dismissed in the first half at Molineux after referee Paul Tierney checked the pitchside monitor and judged he had pulled Tolu Arokodare’s hair. Sunderland played most of the match with 10 men, then conceded a second-half equaliser. Sunderland Echo highlights Hart’s criticism of the call and the wider consistency issue.

Hart argued that the Premier League cherishes physical battles, pointing to recent duels such as Gabriel against Erling Haaland, and said this incident needs clearer guidance. He described Ballard and Arokodare as strong, combative players and doubted Ballard specifically targeted hair. He questioned whether a 24th-minute dismissal for violent conduct is what the game wants, noting worse incidents went unpunished this weekend.

Head coach Régis Le Bris said he understood the law and praised Paul Tierney, yet felt its application was tough to accept. He maintained there was no intent or violence, framing it as an aerial duel with a tall, powerful striker. He suggested long hair could make defending difficult under the current interpretation.

Ballard is likely to miss Sunderland’s final three games, with the offence expected to be classed as violent conduct that carries an automatic three-match ban. A comparable case saw Everton’s Michael Keane sent off for pulling Arokodare’s hair in a draw against Wolves, and an appeal was rejected. Sunderland therefore face being without Ballard for the rest of the campaign.

Source: Sunderland Echo