Ghana's captain found guilty of rocking 'un-Islamic' hair in UAE
Former Sunderland striker, Asamoah Gyan told to shave his trade mark 'Mohawk' or face a fine and then a suspension if he does not comply.
Former Sunderland striker 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 Ghanaian, who is on loan at Dubai-based Arabian Gulf League side Al Ahli from Shanghai SIPG, has been served with a warning to shave off his un-Islamic hair immediately.
Gyan’s trade mark ‘Mohawk’ hairstyle is a big NO in the gulf state and the African player may be forced to shave it off.
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Some Islamic teachings ban 'Qaza' hairstyles, where only part of the head is shaved.
Gyan's hairstyle is nothing however compared to colourful hairstyle of footballers stars like Paul Pogba, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Balotelli.
Individual match referees judge whether players' haircuts are appropriate and anything less than a clean shave or an even hair style, a player will not set foot on the pitch.
Match officials in the United Arab Emirates enforce the strict rules because they are concerned about children copying the hairstyles of their Icons.
Similar guidelines have been enforced in neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia where goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah was told to cut his "un-Islamic" hair in 2012 by the referee before playing for his club side Al Shabab.
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The UAEFA sends a player's club a warning letter in the first instance, with punishments escalating to a fine and then a suspension if he does not comply.
Gyan is however not the only player with ‘Un-Islamic hair’ 46 other players are also on the notorious list.
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