New guidance will be issued after Everton defender Michael Keane was one of three Premier League players sent off for pulling an opponent's hair. The Premier League has agreed to new measures at its AGM this month, meaning hair pulling will not automatically lead to a red card next season.
Controversial Red Cards
Michael Keane was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after pulling the hair of Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare during a home draw in January. He received a three-match ban. Everton boss David Moyes slammed the decision as being for “absolutely nothing,” while Keane insisted to the ECHO that his actions were accidental: “I thought it was a nothing sending off to be honest. Some people don't believe me, I did not mean to pull his hair… it was just a natural jump and his hair basically fell into my hand.”
Keane was not alone. Sunderland defender Dan Ballard was also sent off for a hair pull against Tolu, and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez received the same punishment for an offence against Leeds United's former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
New Guidance
According to the BBC, officials will now be told to look for a "clear and deliberate action" with "excessive force and/or brutality." The change aims to give greater leeway to players who may have accidentally pulled an opponent’s hair, avoiding automatic red cards for unintentional actions.
