LONDON — Daniel Ballard became the second defender to be sent off for pulling the hair of Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Tolu Arokodare in the English Premier League this season, as Sunderland squandered a lead in a 1-1 draw.
Everton’s Michael Keane received a straight red for the same offence in January, and was a given three-match suspension for violent conduct, Reuters reported.
Ballard was holding and pulling a handful of Arokodare’s hair as they moved backwards to receive a high ball, until the Nigerian went down, grabbing his head.
Referee Paul Tierney sent off Ballard after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Sunderland, who had taken the lead through Nordi Mukiele’s early strike, were reduced to 10 men in the 24th minute.
Wolves, who is already relegated, ended a three-match goalless run in the 54th minute through Hugo Bueno, securing their first point since March.