Hair pulling not tolerated in football - FA panel

The Football Association's disciplinary panel has firmly stated that hair pulling has no place in football, upholding the three-match suspension for Manchester United's Lisandro Martínez. The independent commission rejected the club's appeal against both the red card and the subsequent ban, which stemmed from Martínez pulling the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin during a Premier League match. This ruling sends a clear message that such actions, even if not explicitly detailed in the Laws of the Game, are considered violent conduct and will be met with consistent punishment. The panel's decision was informed by the fact that Calvert-Lewin indicated he felt force applied to his hair, and the video assistant referee's recommendation to the on-field official. Despite Manchester United manager Michael Carrick's strong criticism of the decision, labeling it one of the worst he had seen and arguing Martínez was merely "off balance and grappling," the commission remained unanimous that the referee did not make an obvious error. This stance aligns with previous similar incidents, such as the dismissal of Everton's Michael Keane for a hair-pulling offense earlier in the season. Martínez will now miss crucial upcoming fixtures against Brentford and Liverpool, having already sat out the match against Chelsea. The Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel also supported the referee's decision, voting 4-1 in favor of the red card.

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In the wider interests of football, ‘hair pulling’ ought not to be tolerated and should be discouraged through consistent punishment.