Régis Le Bris has expressed disappointment after the Premier League rejected Sunderland’s appeal against Daniel Ballard’s red card for the incident with Tolu Arokodare.
Ballard was sent off in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wolves for violent conduct, after appearing to pull the hair of Arokodare.
The incident occurred in the first half with Sunderland one goal up after Nordi Mukiele had scored in the 17th minute of the encounter. The Northern Ireland defender grabbed the hair of Arokodare as both players contested for an aerial ball, before the referee sent him off after a lengthy VAR review.
Wolves took advantage of their extra man in the second half as they equalized through Santiago Bueno in the second half of the clash as both sides shared the spoils.
It also marked the third time in 2026 that a player would be sent off for a hair pull in the Premier League. Manchester United had Lisandro Martinez given his marching orders for the same action on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while Everton’s Micheal Keane was also guilty for the same offfence on Arokodare.
Meanwhile, Ballard will serve a three game suspension for violent conduct and will now miss their remaining three Premier League games of the season.
Everything Le Bris said about Ballard’s hair pull on Arokodare
Sunderland face Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend, hoping for a win to keep their hopes of an European finish alive after a poor run of form.
Speaking during his prematch duties, Le Bris was disappointed over the absence of a very important player after the club’s appeal was rejected.
“Yes, we are [disappointed]. The situation was a bit unclear”, Le Bris said.
“The Premier League is built around physicality, intensity and I do think that Ballard tried to grab the shirt in the duel. Unfortunately long hair got caught and it wasn’t intentional. The law is the law so I understand the referee at one point but at the same time I think the rule is a bit unclear.
“We will try to use the time to prepare the next season because we don’t have another choice”, he concluded.
Sunderland will face Manchester United in the Premier League this Saturday, while Wolves are in action against Brighton simultaneously.
