Hair-pulling trend in Premier League continues as Dan Ballard sent off for Sunderland

TL;DR

Dan Ballard of Sunderland was sent off for hair-pulling during a match against Wolverhampton, marking a rise in red cards for this offense in the Premier League. Previous incidents include players from Everton and Manchester United receiving similar penalties for hair-tugging.

Key points

Dan Ballard sent off for hair-pulling in Premier League match
Red cards for hair-pulling have increased in frequency
Hair-pulling is classified as violent conduct with a three-match ban

SunderlandWolverhamptonChelseaArsenal

Red cards for hair-pulling have never been so frequent in the Premier League. The latest came Saturday when Sunderland defender Dan Ballard was sent off for yanking the hair of Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare as they competed for the ball in the first half of the teams' meeting at Molineux. In January, Arokodare was the recipient of a hair tug by Everton defender Michael Keane, who also was shown a straight red card in a match that finished 1-1 in January. Last month, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was sent off for pulling the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin in their match at Old Trafford. That decision, given after a VAR check, was described as “shocking” by United manager Michael Carrick but wasn't overturned. Pulling an opponent's hair is deemed violent conduct and earns a three-match ban. There have been instances of red cards for hair-pulling outside the Premier League, too, over the past year. In the second-tier Championship, Ipswich left back Leif Davis was given a retrospective ban in March after being found have pulled the hair of Leicester player Caleb Okoli. At the Club World Cup last summer, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder João Neves was sent off for pulling down by his hair toward the end of in the final. At last year's Women’s European Championship, the VAR spotted Germany midfielder of France captain at a free kick and a red card was issued. Last month, Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor in a post-match interview and replayed footage of a hair-pulling incident missed by match officials in the game against . And in the semifinals, 's Franziska Kett was sent off for pulling the hair of an opponent in a 1-1 draw with in the first leg last Saturday. \\_ AP soccer:

Q&A

What led to Dan Ballard's red card in the Premier League?

Dan Ballard received a red card for pulling the hair of Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare during a match.

How many players have been sent off for hair-pulling in the Premier League recently?

In recent months, multiple players, including Dan Ballard and Michael Keane, have been sent off for hair-pulling incidents in the Premier League.

What are the consequences of hair-pulling in soccer?

Pulling an opponent's hair is considered violent conduct and results in a three-match ban.

Hair-pulling trend in Premier League continues as Dan Ballard sent off for Sunderland

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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