Ghana football star Asamoah Gyan is among a group of more than 40 players deemed to have “unethical hair” under United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA) guidelines.
The 31-year-old is on loan at Dubai-based Arabian Gulf League side Al Ahli from Shanghai SIPG.
Some Islamic teachings reportedly ban ‘Qaza’ hairstyles, where only part of the head is shaved.
Individual match referees judge whether players’ haircuts are appropriate.
Some match officials in the UAE enforce the rules because they are concerned about children copying the hairstyles.
Similar guidelines have been enforced in neighbouring countries. In 2012, Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah was told to cut his “un-Islamic” hair by the referee before playing for his club side Al Shabab.
According to the guidelines, UAEFA will first send a warning letter to the player’s club. If the player does not comply, punishments can be instituted, ranging from affine to a suspension.
Gyan is one of 46 players at the warning stage.
The former Sunderland striker was in Gabon with his country for the Africa Cup of Nations, which they finished fourth after losing to Burkina Faso in the third-place play off. Before that, the Black Stars were beaten by eventual winners Cameroon in the semi-final stage.
