Footballer banned for 'unethical hair'

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has been censured for his hairdo. Photo / Getty

Asamoah Gyan has been found guilty of having "unethical hair" under United Arab Emirates Football Association guidelines.

The 31-year-old, who is on loan at Arabian Gulf League side Al-Ahbi from Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG, has recently returned from the African Cup of Nations in Gabon where he was representing Ghana.

Gyan, who has a mohawk and shaved sides, is one of 46 players to have breached the guidelines.

The rules are derived from Islamic teachings, some of which ban "Qaza" hairstyles, which include mohawks.

A "Qaza" hairstyle is one in which the hair at the side of the head is cut or shaved shorter than the hair on top.

Referees have the discretion to judge on a match-by-match basis whether players' haircuts are acceptable.

Officials in the UAE are strict about compliance with the rules as they are concerned about the styles influencing kids watching in the stands.

Confusion still reigns over what styles are exactly forbidden under the new legislation.

Al-Ain star Omar Abdulrahman has been told he is exempt from the haircut law for his flowing locks.

However, Al-Wahda's Suhail Al-Mansoori, who sported a very similar style was forced to cut his hair under the laws of the game.

Many foreign players moving to Gulf countries to play their football have fallen foul of the rule in recent years.

Last year, goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah was forced into a pre-match haircut pitchside after officials picked up on the design on his head.

Former Sunderland striker Gyan has made eight appearances in the UAE Gulf League, scoring twice.