Premier League Reportedly Punishes Simon Hooper After Controversial Nilson Angulo Hair-Pull Incident Against Sunderland
Sunderland’s controversial 3-1 defeat to Coventry City has taken another unexpected turn, with reports claiming that referee Simon Hooper has been removed from his scheduled officiating duties for the upcoming Premier League matchweek.
The alleged decision follows the controversial incident involving Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo and Coventry City’s Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.
Angulo appeared to pull Sakamoto’s hair during an off-the-ball confrontation, but despite a VAR review, the Ecuadorian escaped a red card. The decision sparked widespread debate, particularly because Sunderland supporters remembered Dan Ballard’s dismissal for a similar offence last season.
Now, claims that the Premier League has taken action against Hooper have added another chapter to the controversy.
### The Incident That Sparked Anger Among Sunderland Supporters
Sunderland’s afternoon at the CBS Arena was already disappointing before the hair-pulling incident became a major talking point.
During the second half, Angulo was involved in an exchange with Sakamoto, during which the Sunderland winger appeared to grab and pull the Coventry player’s hair.
The incident was reviewed by VAR, but the officials decided not to recommend a pitchside review or issue a red card.
That decision immediately raised questions about consistency in the application of football’s disciplinary rules.
Sunderland supporters were particularly frustrated because Ballard had previously been sent off for pulling Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare’s hair.
For many, the comparison was difficult to ignore. If Ballard received a red card for a similar offence, why was Angulo allowed to remain on the pitch?
The controversy has continued to attract attention since Sunderland’s 3-1 defeat.
### Simon Hooper Reportedly Removed From Upcoming Matchweek
The biggest development in the story is the claim that the Premier League has removed Hooper from his scheduled appointment for the next matchweek.
According to the statement included in the report, the decision followed a review of his performance during Sunderland’s meeting with Coventry, particularly the failure to identify what was described as an act of violent conduct.
The reported statement reads:
“The Premier League can confirm that referee Simon Hooper has been removed from his scheduled appointment for the upcoming matchweek. The decision follows a review of his performance during Sunderland’s match against Coventry City, specifically regarding the failure to identify a clear act of violent conduct by the Sunderland winger.”
It reportedly added:
“The Premier League holds its officials to the highest standards and will continue to review performances on a weekly basis.”
If authentic, this would represent a significant development following the controversy.
However, the statement and the alleged punishment need independent confirmation from the Premier League or PGMOL before being treated as official. A referee being absent from an appointment does not, by itself, establish that they have been disciplined.
### Keith Hackett Previously Questioned the Decision
Former PGMOL chief and FIFA referee Keith Hackett has also reportedly criticised the decision not to dismiss Angulo.
Hackett’s reported assessment was clear:
“That’s a red card. The rules are clear. You cannot pull an opponent’s hair. The VAR should have intervened and recommended a review. It’s a clear error.”
His position contrasts with the match officials’ decision to allow the game to continue without further punishment.
The disagreement has added another dimension to the debate, with questions being raised about whether VAR should have intervened.
Hackett’s reported comments are particularly relevant because of his experience in football officiating. Nevertheless, his opinion should be distinguished from any formal ruling by the Premier League or PGMOL.
### Why the Dan Ballard Incident Matters
The comparison with Ballard’s previous dismissal remains central to the controversy.
Sunderland supporters have pointed to the defender’s red card for pulling Arokodare’s hair as evidence that similar incidents should receive consistent punishment.
The issue is not simply whether Angulo should have been sent off. It is whether officials are applying the same standards whenever a player deliberately pulls an opponent’s hair.
Different incidents can involve different circumstances, but supporters understandably expect clear and consistent decisions.
The Angulo incident has therefore become another example in the wider discussion about VAR and disciplinary decisions in the Premier League.
### What This Means for Sunderland
For Sunderland, any confirmation that the officials’ handling of the incident has been formally reviewed would provide some recognition of the concerns surrounding the match.
However, it would not change the result.
The Black Cats still suffered a 3-1 defeat, and Régis Le Bris must concentrate on improving performances and addressing the problems that contributed to the loss.
Sunderland’s reported position at the bottom of the Premier League table, with five points from nine matches, makes the situation even more concerning.
Le Bris is already under pressure to find greater consistency from his players. The last thing Sunderland need is for controversy surrounding refereeing decisions to distract from the improvements required on the pitch.
Even if Hooper has been removed from an upcoming appointment, Sunderland must still focus on their next fixture.
### The Verdict
The claim that Simon Hooper has been dropped from the upcoming Premier League matchweek following the Nilson Angulo hair-pulling incident has generated another wave of discussion around Sunderland’s defeat to Coventry.
Angulo escaped a red card after VAR reviewed the incident, while Keith Hackett reportedly argued that the officials should have intervened.
If the reported punishment is officially confirmed, it would represent a significant development in the aftermath of the match.
But Sunderland will not get their points back, and the result remains unchanged.
Do you think Simon Hooper should face disciplinary action if the decision was incorrect, or is a review of the incident enough? Share your thoughts below. 🔴⚪