FORTALEZA, BRAZIL - JUNE 21: Asamoah Gyan of Ghana celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Germany and Ghana at Castelao on June 21, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan is one of 46 players deemed to have “unethical hair” by the United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA).
The 31-year-old Ghanaian is on loan at Dubai-based Arabian Gulf League club Al Ahli from Shanghai SIPG.
Some Islamic teachings prohibit ‘Qaza’ hairstyles, where only part of the head is shaved.
Individual match referees decide whether players’ haircuts are appropriate.
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Game officials in the UAE cite concern over children copying the hairstyles as one of the reasons for enforcing the rule.
Similar rules have been established in neighboring countries. In 2012, Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah was told to cut his “un-Islamic” hair by the referee before playing for his club team Al Shabab.
The types of punishments issued for each hair-related offense are as follows: UAEFA sends a player’s team a warning letter in the first instance, with punishments escalating to a fine and finally a suspension if he does not comply.
According to Middle Eastern soccer website Ahdaaf, Suhail Al-Mansoori (pictured below) of club Al Wahda was told to cut his hair while UAE international and 2016 Asian Footballer of the Year Omar Abdulrahman, who has a similar style of hair and also plays in the Arabian Gulf League, was let off.
FORTALEZA, BRAZIL – JUNE 21: Asamoah Gyan of Ghana celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Germany and Ghana at Castelao on June 21, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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