Premier League referees will change the way they judge hair pulling next season after three players were sent off for the offence in 2025-26. The new guidance, agreed at the Premier League AGM earlier this month, places greater emphasis on both the level of force and intention. Referees will look for a “clear and deliberate action” with “excessive force and/or brutality”. Everton’s Michael Keane would still be sent off for his hair pull on Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare, but Sunderland’s Dan Ballard and Stockport County’s Josh Dacres-Cogley would probably face only yellow cards under the new interpretation. Officials have also been asked to focus more on grappling and holding inside the area, which became commonplace on corners, and a solution to stop the goalkeeper “tactical timeout” is set to be introduced.
The change comes as Everton have been told they must pay Burnley £35m over the impact of a breach of the Premier League’s financial rules. The case, heard by a Premier League commission, relates to the 2021-22 season when Everton were found to have broken profit and sustainability regulations. Burnley argued the breach impacted their chances of staying up, and were awarded £26m in damages plus £9m in interest. Everton have appealed, with sources saying they will “robustly and thoroughly” contest the ruling. The club said in a statement the ruling is “fundamentally flawed in both law and fact” and “sets a dangerous and unworkable precedent”. The commission said it found Burnley’s evidence, which projected a gain of between 3.85 and 7.13 points for Everton, “more compelling” and that, on the balance of probabilities, the breach caused Burnley to be relegated. Leeds United are reported to have agreed a settlement with Everton in September 2025.
“Premier League referees told to change hair pulling rules; Everton ordered to pay Burnley £35m.”
The season also saw Arsenal finally get over the line, with goalkeeper David Raya winning the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for a third year in a row thanks to 19 clean sheets. Declan Rice and Bruno Fernandes were the outstanding outfield players, while Antoine Semenyo scored 21 goals for Bournemouth and Manchester City, including the only goal at Wembley to clinch the FA Cup.
At the men’s World Cup, Premier League referee Michael Oliver has pulled out of his first game after suffering a minor injury. He was due to officiate the clash between Ecuador and Ivory Coast in Philadelphia but has been replaced by Francois Letexier. A FIFA statement said Oliver is expected to be available for selection again in the coming days. His withdrawal means UK assistants Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring also miss out.