Relaxing red cards for hair-pulling in the Premier League

Premier League referees will change the way hair-pulling is judged next season after three players were sent off for the offense in 2025-26.

Officials will be asked to put more emphasis on raking and holding inside the area after it becomes commonplace at corners and set-pieces.

The measures were agreed at the Premier League’s AGM earlier this month following discussions with the Game Improvement Advisory Board.

They form part of the “Principles of Football” and “Referring Points of Emphasis” for 2026-27.

All three red cards for hair-pulling came via a video assistant referee’s review and led to criticism from the managers of the players involved.

Evertonof Michael Keane, Manchester UnitedIts Lisandro Martinez and SunderlandDan Ballard was all sent off for hair pulling after VAR intervention.

United boss Michael Carrick said this “One of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen” but lost an appeal To lift the three-match ban.

Stockport County defender Josh Dacres-Coughley was also sent off for a foul in the League One play-off final.

But from next season, a red card will not be shown every time a player is seen pulling an opponent’s hair.

Instead, more emphasis will be placed on both energy level and intention.

Everton Boss David Moyes has criticized Keane’s red card, claiming his player received a ban for “absolutely nothing”.

However, the new guidelines do not mean that hair pulling will suddenly be tolerated.

Referees will be asked to look for a “clear and deliberate move” that involves “excessive force and/or brutality”.

It’s likely Keen will still be sent off – holding and pulling his hair the wolf’ Tolu considers Arokodar violent behaviour.

But Ballard and Dacres-Coughley will likely be judged for yellow card offenses – although VAR cannot intervene for bookings.

Martinez’s red card would be considered a borderline case and open to interpretation.

The change is intended to give more latitude to players who might accidentally grab an opponent’s hair.