Premier League release statement after Dan Ballard red card vs Wolves
Premier League’s Match Centre account has explained why Dan Ballard was sent off for Sunderland against Wolves.
Sunderland started the clash exactly as planned, with Nordi Mukiele getting on the end of Granit Xhaka’s corner to head the Black Cats in front.
However, things would turn sour pretty quickly, with Ballard shown a straight red card for a perceived act of violent conduct.
Typically, violent conduct covers actual violent actions, but as seen in the Premier League several times this season, a hair pull is now deemed as bad.
After a VAR review, Ballard was shown a red card, which will see him miss the final three games of the season.
What did the Premier League say about Dan Ballard incident?
When play was stopped, everyone was baffled, though replays showed that VAR was looking at Ballard’s duel with Toku Arokadare.
The 6’5 Nigerian striker went down holding his head after Ballard was deemed to have grabbed his hair, which was enough for a red card.
After the incident, the Premier League released a statement explaining the decision via X.
It reads: “After VAR review, the referee issued a red card to Ballard for violent conduct.
Referee announcement: “After review, Sunderland 5 clearly pulls the hair of the Wolves player. Final decision is red card, violent conduct.”
Premier League football is going down the wrong path
We live in a world where you are at an immediate disadvantage for having short hair in the Premier League, and that is one of the craziest, yet factual, statements you will ever read.
Ballard’s challenge with Arokadare was no different to how he has done throughout the season, but because the Wolves forward has long hair, he will miss three games.
But the rule isn’t applicable for Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey, given the fact that he has short hair that cannot be pulled, which is again another crazy, yet factual statement.
Football, and in particular, Premier League football, is going down the wrong route, and decisions and rules like this are only making it worse.
Do not be surprised to see hairstyle clauses included in contracts going forward.
For even more Sunderland news and opinions, head over to Football Insider.