Premier League's New Refereeing Guidelines: Hair Pulling and More

The English Premier League has updated its refereeing guidelines, specifying that hair-pulling won't automatically result in a red card unless excessive force is used. This clarification follows incidents involving players like Lisandro Martinez. The new principles also emphasize protecting goalkeepers and scrutinizing non-football actions with impact on opponents.

The English Premier League announced on Friday refinements to its refereeing guidelines for the upcoming season. Notably, pulling an opponent's hair will not always mean an automatic red card, unless such action is deemed to involve 'excessive force and/or brutality.' However, deliberate but less severe instances will warrant a yellow card.

This change follows previous red card incidents involving Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez, Everton's Michael Keane, and Sunderland's Dan Ballard. The clarification is part of broader principles set out for referees this season, aimed at standardizing the enforcement of game laws.

In addition, referees will now closely scrutinize holding actions, especially when they materially impact opponents. There will also be a greater focus on protecting goalkeepers, by penalizing players who initiate contact without a real attempt to play the ball, impacting the keeper's chance to challenge.