Three red cards for hair pulling in 2026 - is it time to change law?

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard becomes the third player to be sent off for pulling an opponent's hair in the Premier League this season. Is it time to change the law? By Alex Brotherton BBC Sport journalist Handballs, offsides and the impact of video assistant referees (VAR) have been huge points of contention in recent years, but is it now time to add hair pulling to the list? Sunderland defender Dan Ballard became the third player this season to be sent off for pulling an opponent's hair in Saturday's 1-1 draw at relegated Wolves . As Sunderland fans chanted 'this isn't football', Ballard joined Everton 's Michael Keane and Manchester United 's Lisandro Martinez in being sent off for a hair pull this season.

"So sometimes handball is the same, there is always a grey area and, probably, with this rule we are in that stage." When it comes to hair pulling, there isn't a specific law. As hair pulling is treated as an act of violent conduct, referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) made it clear to clubs at the start of the season that it will always be considered a red-card offence. "It's really hard to digest because I don't think it was an intentional and violent conduct. "If the rule is the rule when you face a striker with long hair you'll have problems because you can't defend, anything can happen." It's a grey area though. Fulham defender Kenny Tete escaped a red card for an apparent hair pull on Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo during his side's 3-0 Premier League defeat on 11 February.

On 1 April, Arsenal 's Katie McCabe remained on the pitch despite pulling the hair of Chelsea winger Alyssa Thompson in a Women's Champions League quarter-final. "When the forward has long hair, it's hard. "The one today, I don't think Ballard is going for his hair, he is trying to get hold of the striker. According to the law that is a red card but do you want a player being sent off for violent conduct for that? It doesn't make any sense." Ex-Man Utd striker Wayne Rooney, added: "I can't believe I am on Match of the Day talking about players being sent off for hair pulling.

The law has to change." But some hair pulls - such as the one by Argentina centre-back Martinez on Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin last month - appear to be more accidental than violent. "Is it time to reconsider where hair pulling should sit? "One solution worthy of consideration would be to make 'pulling an opponent's hair' a separate category. It is clear that some hair pulls are extremely violent and others are not. "Removing it from the violent conduct category would allow a sliding scale of, say, a one, two or three-game ban - depending on the severity of the hair pull." By Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent A few years ago the idea that someone could be sent off for pulling someone's hair was unheard of.

Since then, fans have found several examples of what fans think is hair pulling. The VAR is looking for clear evidence, that the opponent's hair is in the grasp, not only touching it. The furore has created the perception that any evidence of the hand touching the hair is enough for violent conduct, but it isn't. All your football quizzes in one place Sunderland defender Dan Ballard becomes the third player to be sent off for pulling an opponent's hair in the Premier League this season. Three red cards for hair pulling in 2026 - is it time to change law?