It is 10 years since Manchester United were involved in a controversial hair pulling incident. This time the roles have reversed.
Lisandro Martinez was sent off against Leeds for pulling the hair of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Even the opposing striker believes the Manchester United centre-back was unlucky.
The controversial sending off was an unusual one, but it is not the first time Manchester United have been involved in a situation like this.
Back in 2016, Marouane Fellaini was involved in a hair pulling incident that resulted in a three-match ban and a memorable quote from manager Louis van Gaal.
What happened in Marouane Fellaini/Robert Huth incident?
Marouane Fellaini and Robert Huth clashed at a set piece during a Premier League game between Manchester United and title chasing Leicester City, which finished 1-1.
German defender Huth pulled Fellaini’s hair, and the Manchester United midfielder responded by elbowing his opponent.
Speaking after the game, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal claimed that the hair pull should have resulted in a penalty for the Red Devils. And he used an extremely unusual comparison.
“When you see what Huth is doing to Fellaini, that’s a penalty.
“Shall I grab you by your hair? What is your reaction when I grab your hair? Your hair is shorter than Fellaini but, when I do that, what are you doing then? It’s a reaction.
“Every human being who is grabbed by the hair, only with sex masochism, then it is allowed but not in other situations. They did it. They did it several times I think.
“Huth was the guy who grabbed the hair of Fellaini. I think the reaction of Fellaini is like a human being.”
The FA investigated the incident and decided to punish both players. Fellaini and Huth were both handed three-match bans, from the start of the 2016/17 season.
Lisandro Martinez has been SENT OFF for a hair pull – Let us know your thoughts…
It was described as 'violent conduct'
Marouane Fellaini: It hurts
Speaking to Belgian magazine Humo, Marouane Fellaini claimed that it was painful to be pulled by his big head of hair.
“What should I do if they pull me by the hair? It sounds like a joke, but it really hurts.”
He also claimed he was unfairly punished for retaliation, even in different kinds of provocation.
“Last season I was suspended after the derby against City for a headbutt against Aguero. He stepped towards me and then dropped dead. But, no, I get the red.”
Part of the controversy with Lisandro Martinez’s sending off for the Dominic Calvert-Lewin incident was about how intentional and forceful the Manchester United star’s actions were.
MUTV pundit Phil Bardsley argued: “It’s one of the most bizarre red cards I’ve ever seen. He’s not yanked his hair… it’s disappointing.”
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