Hair pulling in football: Three red cards for hair pulling in 2026 – does the law need to change?

There are no specific rules when it comes to hair pulling.

Currently, pushing someone in the face or bending an opponent over the head falls under the category of violence.

Referee body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) made it clear to clubs at the start of the season that hair pulling is considered an act of violence.

“It’s really hard to digest because I don’t think it was a deliberate act of aggression. It was a fight in the air and against a tall striker,” Le Bris added.

“So 20 times in the air a lot of things can happen in the game but it wasn’t intentional.

“If the law is the law, when you face a long-haired attacker, you’re in trouble because you can’t defend, anything can happen.”

It’s a gray area though.

Fulham Defender Kenny Tate escaped a red card due to visible hair pulling Manchester City Forward Antoine Semenyo during his side’s 3-0 defeat on February 11.

The women’s game is also an issue. On April 1 ArsenalKatie McCabe pulled her hair and stayed on the field. Chelsea Winger Alyssa Thompson in the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.

Le Bris: “I think the referees and the Premier League should be clear with the law because in this situation, if they suddenly catch something, they can’t play stick. I hope that we will have a discussion with the referees to fix this law and make it better.”

“When he has long hair in the future, it is very difficult. It is important to have this discussion and make the rule more clear.”

What cannot be asked is that Tierney followed the instructions at Molineux.

“It is a letter of the law. We met with Tolu (Arokodare) twice this season,” he said. Wolves Manager Rob Edwards.

“I’m not saying it was intentional – but it happened.”