Gabby Logan made a cruel quip about Wayne Rooney’s hair on the latest edition of Match of the Day. BBC pundit Rooney spoke out about Dan Ballard’s sacking during Saturday’s draw between Sunderland and Wolves. The defender was shown a red card in the first half against Molineux after referee Paul Tierney checked the pitchside monitor to review an incident involving Wolves striker Tolu Arokodea.
Sunderland defender Ballard was found to have pulled an opponent’s hair, which was ruled an act of violence. This decision was a pivotal moment in the game, as the Black Cats were forced to play with 10 men for most of the game and ultimately conceded a goal, finishing 1-1. This sparked a debate on Match of the Day about how regulations around hair-pulling are being enforced and whether the act should automatically be classified as an act of violence.
Adding levity to the discussion, Manchester United legend Rooney said with a mischievous grin: “That’s why I didn’t grow my ponytail while I played.”
Without missing a beat, Logan fired back, saying, “That’s not the only reason, let’s be honest,” which made critic Joe Hart burst into laughter.
Both the presenter and Rooney were alluding to the fact that such a look was simply not realistic as the former striker had shaved or let his hair grow back for virtually his entire playing career.
Turning to more pressing matters, Rooney expressed disbelief at the severity of the response to hair-pulling incidents in the Premier League this season.
He said: “I can’t believe we’re sitting on Match of the Day and talking about a player who got sent off for pulling his hair. I think that’s ridiculous. If that’s the rule, I think they should change it because it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
“When you’re playing, it’s a physical game and when you grab onto your shirt, you’re trying to give your opponent an advantage. And if you have a big strand of hair, you might end up grabbing it at some point.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Logan emphasized the lack of clarity in the existing framework.
She said, “Because there’s a gray area. There has to be some nuance. And, of course, there is violent behavior going on at the moment. Some of it will be violent, but not all of it.”
Ms Hart added: “We have seen many more violent events occur this weekend and no one has been punished.”
Ballard is the third player this season to receive marching orders for hair-pulling.
Arrocodea was also given a hair-pulling by Michael Keane in January, and last month Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was given a red for similar behavior by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
