“It wasn’t intentional” – Sunderland coach explains red card incident with Super Eagles star

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has addressed the red card incident involving defender Daniel Ballard and Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare during last weekend’s Premier League clash, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Black Cats travelled to Molineux to face already-relegated Wolves, but the major talking point of the game came in the first half when Ballard was given his marching orders.

The incident occurred in the 24th minute when the Sunderland centre-back went up for an aerial challenge with Arokodare, but ended up grabbing a handful of the Super Eagles forward’s hair while attempting to challenge for the ball.

The referee then issued a straight red card to Ballard after a VAR review, making the Northern Irish defender the third player to be sent off for a similar offence in the Premier League season this season. 

It follows earlier incidents involving Manchester United’s Lisandro Martínez, who was dismissed for a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as well as Everton’s Michael Keane, who also committed a similar foul on Arokodare.

The match eventually ended 1-1, with both sides sharing the points as Santiago Bueno’s second-half strike cancelled out an early goal from Nordi Mukiele, extending Sunderland’s winless run to three matches.

Le Bris reacts to Ballard’s dismissal during Wolves vs Sunderland clash

Sunderland submitted an appeal to the Premier League in an attempt to overturn the red card after the match, but it was rejected. As a result, Ballard will now serve a three-match ban for violent conduct, ruling him out for the remainder of the season with just three games left.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Thursday ahead of their meeting with Manchester United, Le Bris expressed disappointment over the outcome and also defended the decision of the Northern Ireland international.

“Yes, we are [disappointed]. The situation was a bit unclear”, Le Bris said, via BBC Sport.

“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”, the Frenchman concluded.

Sunderland will be looking to end their three-match winless streak when they host Manchester United at the Stadium of Light this weekend, as they look to keep their slim chance of securing European qualification alive.

They will then travel to face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in their penultimate fixture, before concluding their campaign against Chelsea on May 24 as they hope to finish the season strongly.