Hair pulling in football: Three red cards for hair pulls in 2026 – does law need changing?

When it comes to hair pulling, there isn’t a specific law.

It currently falls under the remit of violent conduct, in the same way that pushing someone in the face or elbowing an opponent in the head does.

As hair pulling is treated as an act of violent conduct, referees’ body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) made it clear to clubs at the start of the season that it will always be considered a red-card offence.

“It’s really hard to digest because I don’t think it was an intentional and violent conduct. It was a duel in the air and with a tall striker,” added Le Bris.

“So in the air 20 times in the game many things can happen but it wasn’t intentional.

“If the rule is the rule when you face a striker with long hair you’ll have problems because you can’t defend, anything can happen.”

It’s a grey area though.

Fulham defender Kenny Tete escaped a red card for an apparent hair pull on Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo during his side’s 3-0 Premier League defeat on 11 February.

It’s also an issue in the women’s game. On 1 April, Arsenal‘s Katie McCabe remained on the pitch despite pulling the hair of Chelsea winger Alyssa Thompson in a Women’s Champions League quarter-final.

Le Bris said: “I think it’s important for the referees and the Premier League to be clear with the rule because in this case, you can’t play a duel in case you accidentally grab something. I hope we will have a conversation with the referees to adjust this rule and make it better.

“When the forward has long hair, it’s hard. It’s important to have this conversation and make the rule clearer.”

What cannot be questioned is Tierney followed the directives at Molineux.

“It’s the letter of the law. We’ve had it twice with Tolu [Arokodare] this season,” said Wolves manager Rob Edwards.

“I’m not saying it’s a deliberate thing – but it’s happened.”