Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Wed 6 May 2026 7:00, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Keith Hackett has called on the FA to overturn Dan Ballard’s red card for a hair pull in the 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Sunderland star was given his marching orders for pulling on Tolu Arokodare during the first half at Molineux.

This proved to be costly for the Black Cats, as not only did the club end up losing their lead, but they are also without Ballard for the rest of the season, as it stands, as he serves out a three-match suspension.

As a result, Sunderland have appealed the decision, and an FA panel will decide if a red card was a worthy punishment, and how long the ban should be.

Ahead of their decision, Hackett has insisted that Ballard’s ban should be lifted after the controversial Sunderland decision.

Keith Hackett: I hope Dan Ballard’s ban is overturned

The debate regarding red cards and hair pulls has truly kicked off this season.

There have been three incidents already this Premier League campaign, with two coincidentally involving Arokodare.

However, when reviewing the footage of Ballard’s red card, Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that he hopes that the appeal is successful.

“I can fully understand why they have decided to challenge this, but it is risky given that the FA Disciplinary panel recently issued a three-match ban for a similar incident involving a Manchester United player.

“I hope that the panel made up of different ex-players and a referee will discuss in detail the referee’s report, and if it clearly stated that the red card was for Violent Conduct.

“If they are doing the job, they will look at the wording of the law, which states: ‘Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made. In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.’

Did Dan Ballard deserve to be sent off for the hair pulling incident with Tolu Arokodare? pic.twitter.com/crgbgL4zhO

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 2, 2026

“Can they come to the conclusion that the Sunderland player is guilty? I did not see any violent jolting of the head backwards.

“The PGMOL need to bring its referees together and determine a course of action going forward where a consistent approach can be achieved by its group of referees.

“I hope he gets off!!”

FA urged to change violent conduct rules

Hackett previously told Football Insider that the FA has to change its violent conduct rules after Ballard’s hair-pulling controversy.

Hair-pulling is treated as an act of violent conduct by PGMOL as it stands, with it falling under the ‘brutality’ element of their interpretation of the ruling.

However, Hackett does not believe the action at Molineux was violent, especially given the lack of malice in Saturday’s incident.

However, it remains to be seen if the FA will look at this and make any amendments.