Manchester United’s home defeat against Leeds was unexpected – and caused a need for discussion. In particular because of a grab in the hair.
For Michael Carrick, it was literally a “hair-raising” decision. “That decision was one of the worst I’ve ever seen,” said the Manchester United coach, lamenting the sending-off of his player Lisandro Martinez, who had pulled Leeds professional Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair in an aerial duel.
Referee Paul Tierney showed Martinez the red card (56th) after seeing the TV pictures, Leeds with German coach Daniel Farke won for the first time since February 1981 in the highest English league at the record champions (2:1) and collected eminently important points in the relegation battle.
Much to the annoyance of Carrick. The ex-professional called it “shocking” that his Argentine protégé was sent off – and not Calvert-Lewin, who had previously “thrown his arms in the face” of his opponent. Lisandro Martinez had not pulled his opponent’s hair, but merely “touched it”, he insisted. “We have to watch where the game is going,” said Carrick: “It’s a shocking decision, absolutely shocking.”
Keane and Carragher understand Carrick
Captain Bruno Fernandes obviously also had an opinion on the decision, even if he kept a low profile – so as not to get into “big trouble”. Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, emphasized after the game that he had felt the grip. “I don’t make the rules,” he said. “I felt him pulling my hair, I told the referee – and he makes the decisions.” That was just bad luck for Martinez, “whether he wanted it that way or not”.
Two TV pundits were sympathetic to Carrick’s anger. Roy Keane, a long-time professional for the Red Devils, said on Sky Sports: “I can understand both sides. If you classify that as violent conduct, it seems really harsh. It’s harsh, but when you look at the rules you have to accept it.” Liverpool’s ex-professional Jamie Carragher added that Martinez’s action was too “soft” for him to be sent off. He goes for the ball, tries to get it and has it in his grasp for half a second. I don’t think any soccer fan or player thinks that’s a red card.”
Memories of Hendrich’s grip on the hair
However, the rules left no room for interpretation, red was mandatory – and anything but unprecedented. DFB defender Kathrin Hendrich was sent off after such an offense in the 2025 European Championship quarter-finals, although she claimed that her grip on the hair of France captain Griedge Mbock Bathy was not intentional.
There have also been similar cases in the Premier League. Everton’s Michael Keane, for example, was banned for three games after such an offense against Tolu Arokodare of Wolverhampton Wanderers in January. Southampton’s Jack Stephens was also sent off after grabbing the hair of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, while Joao Neves of Paris Saint-Germain was also sent off in a duel with Cucurella at the Club World Cup.
