The Premier League Match Centre have issued a statement after Lisandro Martinez received a red card against Leeds United for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Referee Paul Tierney was sent to the VAR screen after Manchester United's Argentine centre-back yanked Calvert-Lewin's ponytail while competing for an aerial ball. And Martinez was shown red and given his marching orders in the 56th minute with his team already trailing 2-0 to Noah Okafor's first-half brace.
The statement read: "#MUNLEE – 54' VAR OVERTURN After VAR review, the referee issued a red card to Martínez for violent conduct. Referee announcement: 'After review, Manchester United 6 is guilty of pulling his hair - violent conduct. Final decision is red card.'"
United legend Gary Neville, working as a co-commentator for Sky Sports, said of the incident: "You are not getting away with a hair pull... Martinez is looking perplexed and confused. But a hair pull results in a red card these days. He knew what he was doing."
It comes after Everton defender Michael Keane was punished for a similar foul on Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare back in January. Keane similarly pulled the forward's hair during an aerial challenge.