Premier League to relax red cards for hair pulling

The Premier League has announced that referees will change how they judge hair pulling offences from next season, following three red cards issued for the offence during the 2025-26 campaign. Under the new interpretation, the threshold for sending off players for hair pulling will be relaxed. Officials will also be instructed to place greater emphasis on penalising grappling and holding inside the penalty area, particularly at corners and set-pieces.