Southampton's Jack Stephens given one of the most unusual red cards in Premier League history after incident involving Marc Cucurella

Southampton captain Jack Stephens faces a three-match ban after he was handed a straight red card for pulling the hair of Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.

The 30-year-old defender was sent for an early bath by referee Tony Harrington, who had initially missed the incident.

But after being called over to the pitchside monitor by VAR official Matt Donohue, Harrington brandished a red for 'violent conduct' after Stephens tugged the curly locks of Cucurella, who went down in a heap.

At the time, Chelsea were 3-1 up after just 39 minutes following goals from Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke.

"Well he hasn't gone down for no reason," said commentator Stephen Warnock as he watched the incident back. "He's pulled his hair. Now, people will say that was minimal, but it doesn't matter. He's within his rights to go down, and make the most of it."

You can check out the incident in full below. Do you think it was harsh?

Jack Stephens has been SENT OFF FOR PULLING MARC CUCURELLA'S HAIR! 😱#PLonPrime #SOUCHE pic.twitter.com/XXgfZONCES

— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 4, 2024

Ian Darke, who was also on commentary duty, added: "Cucurella has made the most of it, hasn't he? Going down and staying down. But he has pulled his hair. It's going to be red, it's going to be red. Jack Stephens has gone and that you have to say, it's very silly."

Shortly after the incident, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg provided some further insight into the decision.

"It's certainly an act of craziness," he said. "It's interesting because not every pull it's going to be deemed a foul - or a yellow or red card. But when you pull someone's hair, it's not a footballing action. You pull somebody's shirt but not somebody's hair.

"He's paid the price for violent conduct by pulling the hair in a violent way and therefore he's going to receive a red card and a three-match ban."

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