Premier League to relax red cards for hair pulling

Michael Keane would still be sent off under the new interpretation for hair pulling [Getty Images] Premier League referees have been told to change the way they judge hair pulling after three players were sent off for the offence last season. Officials will also be asked to place a greater emphasis on grappling and holding inside the area after it became commonplace on corners and set-pieces. The measures were agreed at the Premier League AGM earlier this month after consultation with the game improvement advisory board. All three red cards for hair pulling came through a video assistant referee review, and led to criticism from the managers of the players involved. Everton's Michael Keane, Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez and Sunderland's Dan Ballard were all sent off for hair pulling after a VAR intervention. United boss Michael Carrick called it "one of worst decisions I've seen" but lost an appeal to get the three-match ban overturned. Stockport County defender Josh Dacres-Cogley was dismissed for the offence in the League One play-off final too. But from next season, not every time a player is seen to pull an opponent's hair will a red card be shown. Instead, greater emphasis will be placed on both the level of force and the intention. Everton boss David Moyes criticised the red card shown to Keane, claiming his player had received a ban for "absolutely nothing". However, the new guidance does not mean hair pulling will suddenly be tolerated. It is likely that Keane would still be sent off - his holding and pulling the hair of Wolves' Tolu Arokodare deemed violent conduct. But Ballard and Dacres-Cogley would probably be judged to be yellow-card offences - though the VAR cannot intervene for bookings. The change is in intended to give more latitude to players who may accidentally hold onto an opponent's hair. Should hair pulling be violent conduct? Every VAR error: How Arsenal escaped red cards and penalties Three red cards - are referees getting tough at this World Cup? Enhanced focus on grappling and holding A match between Everton and Manchester United in March encapsulated a season of corner chaos . Set-pieces were blighted by holding, grappling and pushing inside the area - instigated by both teams. The Toffees had several players standing on top of goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Leny Yoro was pushed into the net by James Tarkowski. Then Harry Maguire got involved too. "You get the feeling now that referees really don't want to get involved in any of it," Moyes said. "It's really poor that they've not tried to deal with it." Next season, referees will be told to pay much more attention to this, and take disciplinary action if offences happen when the ball is not in play or be more proactive in giving fouls and penalties if it is. It comes as no surprise that the issue would be highlighted by the game improvement advisory board. The game improvement advisory board discusses incidents and trends throughout the season and suggests potential changes. It forms part of the annual football survey - sent to captains, coaches, commentators and other stakeholders - which in part determines points of emphasis for referees in the following season. In the past this has resulted in a more relaxed application of handball and has been used to set the thresholds for challenges and for VAR. VAR, timewasting and subs - World Cup law changes explained No more delayed flag? Fifa adds new offside tech for World Cup Premier League index Premier League table Premier League fixtures