Business manager of Asamoah Gyan, Samuel Anim Addo, is amazed by reports that the Al Ahli Dubai striker has been found guilty for sporting “unethical hair” under rules based on Islamic teachings in the United Arab Emirates
The Ghana skipper was among over 40 players fined by the UAE Football Association for breaching its guidelines, according to media reports on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old, who is on loan from Chinese outfit Shanghai SIPG, is notorious for his mohawk style of hair, with its famous number 3 inscription.
“There is no problem at all because Gyan is aware of the rules,” Addo told Citi FM.
“He changed his hair style before heading from China to the UAE on loan and even after the Afcon [in Gabon recently], he made sure his hair was good for the league.
“I even thought that he had forgotten to work on his hair, thus, the story.
“Even if Gyan wants to try anything fancy with his hair, he will inform his club and the club will give him a response.
“Nothing like that has happened. Gyan has played in the UAE before and is well aware of what pertains in the UAE and so, I do not understand where the story is coming from.”
Per some interpretations of Islam, ‘Qaza’ styles of haircuts, which leave only part of the head shaved, are unlawful.
In 2012, Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah was asked to cut his “un-Islamic” hair by the referee before a match for club side Al Shabab.
Amid the controversy, Gyan was in club action on Wednesday, finding the back of the net in a 3-0 victory over Hatta in the Arabian Gulf League.