Sunderland defender Dan Ballard was controversially shown a red card in Saturday's draw at Premier League rivals Wolves.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart has questioned the decision that saw Sunderland defender Dan Ballard receive a red card during the first half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Premier League rivals Arsenal.

The former Arsenal centre-back has sent-off just after the midway point of the first-half for an alleged pull on the hair of hosts striker Tolu Arokodare - although match referee Paul Tierney did not see the incident and the punishment was only delivered after a VAR review. Sunderland were a goal ahead at the time after Nordi Mukiele found the net just after the quarter-hour mark and the decision to dismiss Ballard gave already relegated Wolves some hope of mounting a comeback. An equaliser arrived when Santiago Bueno headed home nine minutes into the second-half - but it was the controversial decision to dismiss Ballard that dominated a lot of the post-match talk.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris said: “We understand the rule. Paul Tierney is a great referee but the execution of the rule is hard. It's really hard to digest because I don't think it was an intentional and violent conduct. It was a duel in the air with a tall striker, 1.9 metres plus, 100 kilos more or less. Ballard is massive as well... 20 times in the game [they duel] many things can happen but it wasn't intentional. If the rule is the rule, probably when you face a striker with long hair, you'll have problems because you can't defend. It was more or less the case. They executed the rule but I think it's a bit hard to digest.”

‘That is damning’

Former Premier League winner Hart admitted he had sympathy for Le Bris and Ballard as he assessed the decision and stressed he had witnessed ‘a lot more violent things’ go unpunished over the Premier League weekend.

Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, the former Manchester City and England goalkeeper said: “I completely agree with him (Le Bris) and I sympathise with the Premier League. In the Premier League, we love this physicality. Look at that battle we saw between Gabriel and Haaland, it was unbelievable, it was so physical, it was grabbing and gripping. But let’s start with that one today and try and clear that up. This is in the 24th minute, Ballard is a physical defender, Arokodare is a physical striker and he’s very aware of the rules.

“But you’re telling me there Dan Ballard is specifically going for his hair? I don’t think he is, I think he’s just looking to get hold of his striker. Arokodare is one of the strongest in the Premier League. That is damning when it comes to the rules, that’s a red card? In the 24th minute of a Premier League game, do you want someone getting sent-off for that? For violent conduct? I’ve seen a lot more violent things happen this weekend and nothing punished for it.”

Your next Premier League read: Régis Le Bris delivers honest verdict on Sunderland's draw with Wolves and explains what pleased him most