Everton defender Michael Keane was one of three Premier League players sent off for pulling the hair of an opponent
Michael Keane was shown a red card after he pulled the hair of Tolu Arokodare of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The defender has always insisted it was an action. Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Michael Keane was shown a red card after he pulled the hair of Tolu Arokodare of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The defender has always insisted it was an action. Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
View Image
Hair pulling will not automatically lead to a red card next season after a campaign of controversial calls.
Michael Keane was one of three players shown a straight red card for the offence, the Everton centre-back having been adjudged to have committed violent conduct against Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare.
Referees will be operating under new guidance on the issue next season, however, after new measures were agreed at the Premier League AGM this month.
Keane was sent off and given a three-match ban after the incident involving Tolu in the second half of the home draw with Wolves in January.
Blues boss David Moyes slammed the decision as being for “absolutely nothing” while the player insisted to the ECHO that his actions were completely accidental.
Keane explained: “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.”
The centre-back was not alone, with Sunderland defender Dan Ballard shown red - also for a hair pull against Tolu - and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez receiving the same punishment for an offence against Leeds United's former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Now, according to the BBC, officials will be told to look for a "clear and deliberate action" which has "excessive force and/or brutality".
The change is with a view to giving greater leeway to players who may have accidentally pulled an opponent’s hair.