Wayne Rooney has called for a rule change after Sunderland's Dan Ballard was sent off for pulling an opponent's hair, sparking fresh debate over whether all such incidents deserve a red card.
The former England captain, speaking as a pundit on Match of the Day, described the current interpretation as "ridiculous" and urged football's lawmakers to address the inconsistency.
"It's ridiculous - the rule has to change," Rooney said.
Ballard's dismissal is the third red card for hair pulling in 2026, leading to questions about whether the offense should always warrant a sending-off or if context should be considered.
Joe Hart, fellow pundit, joined the discussion, highlighting the difficulty for referees in distinguishing between accidental contact and intentional pulling.
The incident occurred during Sunderland's match, with Ballard shown a straight red card after video review.
Rooney argued that while dangerous play should be punished, a blanket red card for any hair pull may be too harsh, especially when there is no violent intent or injury.
Fans and analysts have taken to social media to debate the issue, with some supporting the strict application of the law and others echoing Rooney's call for a review.