Premier League to soften rules on hair pulling after VAR controversy

The Premier League is set to change how referees judge hair pulling, grappling, and set-piece contact next season, after a series of controversial VAR-driven red cards in 2025–26 triggered widespread debate across clubs and managers.

As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, under new “football principles” agreed at the Premier League AGM, officials will be told to focus less on automatic punishment for contact such as hair pulling, and more on whether an action is deliberate, forceful, and violent in nature.

A senior refereeing briefing summary made the intent clear: not every instance of hair pulling will now result in a sending-off.

“Instead, referees will be instructed to assess whether there is a “clear and deliberate action” involving “excessive force and/or brutality.”

The shift follows three high-profile dismissals, all upgraded after VAR intervention, involving Michael Keane of Everton, Lisandro Martínez of Manchester United, and Dan Ballard of Sunderland, as well as Josh Dacres-Cogley in the League One play-off final.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick was among those critical of the rulings, describing one decision as: “one of the worst decisions I’ve seen.”

Carrick’s appeal to overturn a three-match ban was rejected, but the incident has since become a reference point for the rethink in officiating guidance.

Everton manager David Moyes also strongly criticised the sanction given to Keane, arguing his player had been punished unfairly: “Absolutely nothing.”

Moyes also expressed frustration at the broader standard of officiating in set-piece situations: “It’s really poor that they’ve not tried to deal with it.”

Alongside the hair-pulling clarification, referees will be instructed to place greater emphasis on holding and grappling inside the penalty area, particularly during corners and free-kicks.

Officials will be asked to penalise players who are “clearly only focused on opponents and making a holding action,” especially where there is no genuine attempt to play the ball.

The issue has been highlighted repeatedly throughout the season, with matches becoming increasingly congested in the box. In one high-profile example involving Everton and Manchester United, defenders and attackers were seen jostling with goalkeepers, pushing into the net, and engaging in extended off-the-ball wrestling that officials often struggled to control.

Moyes again voiced concern about the trend: “You get the feeling now that referees really don’t want to get involved in any of it.”

Another major change will address the growing use of what has been dubbed the goalkeeper “tactical timeout,” where goalkeepers slow play—often by sitting down or calling for treatment—to allow coaches to pass instructions to outfield players.

The tactic has drawn widespread criticism, with surveys showing strong disapproval from fans and stakeholders. According to league feedback, 85% of respondents viewed the practice as a problem.

The Premier League is now working on solutions, including stricter enforcement of time-wasting rules and enhanced restart regulations.

A new law already coming into effect allows referees to begin a five-second countdown for goal kicks; if the goalkeeper exceeds the limit, a corner will be awarded to the opposition.

The changes stem from the league’s annual football survey, which feeds into its “refereeing points of emphasis.” The aim, officials say, is to improve flow, consistency, and reduce VAR controversy over marginal physical contact.

While hair pulling will no longer automatically mean a red card, officials insist the game will not become more permissive.

Instead, the direction is a narrower focus: punish clear acts of violence and cynical obstruction, but avoid overreacting to incidental contact in crowded penalty areas.

Whether that balance reduces controversy—or simply creates new arguments over interpretation—will likely become clear early in the next season.