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Wayne Rooney and Gabby Logan have both questioned the decision to send off Dan Ballard during Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Wolves, raising concerns about how the laws are being applied.

Ballard was dismissed in the first half at Molineux after referee Paul Tierney reviewed an incident involving Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare on the pitchside monitor. The Sunderland defender was judged to have pulled his opponent’s hair, an offence currently categorised as violent conduct. The decision proved pivotal, with Régis Le Bris’ side forced to play the majority of the game with 10 men before conceding a second-half equaliser.

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Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, former England captain Rooney was critical of the interpretation. “That’s why I didn’t grow a ponytail when I was playing,” he said. “I just can’t believe that I’m sitting here talking about players getting sent off for pulling hair. I think it’s ridiculous. I think if that’s the rule, the rule has to change because it’s getting absolutely ridiculous.”

Presenter Logan also highlighted the lack of clarity within the current framework. “Because there is a grey area,” she said. “There has to be some nuance. And of course, at the moment, it sits in violent conduct. And there will be some which is violent, but not all.”

Rooney added that the physical nature of the game made such incidents difficult to judge consistently. “When you’re playing, it’s a physical game, and you do grab onto the shirt. You’re trying to get the upper hand on your opponent. And sometimes if there’s a big flock of hair there, you’ve got to grab it at some point. So, yeah, I just think it’s ridiculous.”

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The incident has added to the ongoing debate around the interpretation of the laws, with Ballard now set to miss the remainder of Sunderland’s season through suspension, including games against Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea, as Le Bris’ men look to return to winning ways after three games without victory versus Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and now Wolves in the Premier League. The Black Cats return to action against the Red Devils this Saturday at the Stadium of Light.