Latest red card for hair pull 'hard to understand' - Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris insists 'it wasn't violent conduct' in Wolves draw

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Regis Le Bris was left "confused" after Dan Ballard received a red card for a hair-pull on Wolves' Tolu Arokodare, with the Sunderland boss insisting "it wasn't violent conduct."

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Sunderland were denied a first Premier League win in three matches, drawing 1-1 with Wolves at Molineux, with the Northern Irish defender receiving his first red card of the season.

The visitors had taken the lead through Nordi Mukiele's strike, but lost control after Ballard was given his marching orders.

Santiago Bueno struck in the 54th minute to ensure the points were shared, as Sunderland's hopes of snatching a European spot were dented.

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Ballard had initially got away with the offence, but was shown a straight red following a VAR review.

The Sunderland defender joins Lisandro Martinez and Michael Keane in being sent off for hair-pulling this season, with many split on whether it should be a red card offence.

Le Bris certainly did not agree with the decision, showing clear frustration after the match.

"It wasn't violent conduct," said Le Bris. ”I understand the rule, and the referee has to execute the rule, but it’s hard to understand in that condition."

The Premier League has been clear on what constitutes violent conduct: "A player who is not challenging for the ball will be sent off if they make a clear action to pull the hair of an opponent or any other person with force."

Although the rule is clear, there may be different interpretations of the use of force and on this occasion VAR believed Ballard had the necessary force to warrant a red card.

"I think it’s important for the referees and the Premier League to be clear with this rule because in that case, you can’t play a duel," Le Bris said. "You will grab something at times, even if it’s not intentional and that wasn’t the case, but it is what it is.

"I hope I will have a conversation with the referees to adjust this rule and make it better.”

Michael Carrick took a similar stance following Martinez's dismissal for pulling on Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair in Manchester United's defeat to Wolves.

"It's not a pull, it's not a tug, it's not aggressive, he touches it and gets sent off," said Carrick. "Worst of all is he was sent to overturn it as a clear and obvious error. It's shocking."

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It is no surprise that Le Bris was frustrated after the game; Sunderland's failure to win means they remain three points behind seventh-placed Brighton.

Sunderland face Carrick's Manchester United next up, looking to keep their European hopes alive.

However, they will be without Ballard, unless they successfully appeal the decision.

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