Ref Watch and match officials outlined several reasons why Dango Ouattara’s hair pull on Calvin Bassey did not result in a red card, while Lisandro Martinez was sent off for a similar action on Dominic Calvert‑Lewin. The decision rested on context, degree of force, match situation, what the referee saw, and how VAR assessed the incident.
Degree and intent
Referees assess whether a hair pull is violent conduct or a lesser tactical foul. Martinez’s action was judged more forceful and deliberate, intended to stop an opponent in a threatening situation. Ouattara’s contact was viewed as less forceful and not clearly violent, so it did not automatically meet the threshold for violent conduct.
Effect on play and outcome
Punishment is influenced by what the foul prevented. A pull that halts an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO) or a clear attacking chance is more likely to be a red card. Officials concluded Martinez denied a significant attacking opportunity; Ouattara’s pull did not, in their view, prevent an equivalent clear scoring chance.
Location and direction of the contact
How the offender used their hand matters. Pulling an opponent backwards, dragging them off the ball or away from play increases severity. A tug that merely unsettles but doesn’t remove the attacker from play is more likely to be treated as a lesser offence.
Referee positioning and angle
What the on-field referee and assistants actually see shapes the immediate decision and the report to VAR. If the referee interprets an altercation as a tussle rather than clear violent conduct, that on-field judgment frames any subsequent review.
VAR standard
Video review intervenes only for a “clear and obvious error.” If the on-field call or non‑call falls within a range of reasonable interpretations, VAR will not overturn it. In Ouattara’s case VAR did not identify a clear and obvious mistake that would warrant upgrading to a red card.
Laws of the Game nuances
Hair pulling can be punished as violent conduct (red) or as unsporting behaviour (yellow) depending on intent, force and consequence. Considerations such as whether the player genuinely tried to play the ball and the principle against double jeopardy also affect the sanction.
Conclusion
Taken together, these factors explain how superficially similar incidents can produce different outcomes. Refereeing is interpretative: context, degree of force, match impact, the referee’s perspective and VAR’s limited review standard can all lead to different decisions even when actions look alike to spectators.