Professional football players with weird hairstyles will face strict measures in the UAE – including partially-shaved heads, Emarat Al Youm reported.
Strict instructions have been given to football referees to clampdown on players with “bizarre” haircuts which “deviate from the Emirati values and traditions”.
The UAE Pro League Committee announced the measure following an agreement with the UAE Football Association.
The governing body decided in October 2016 to enforce the ban, imposing fines on players who were found in breach.
The UAE Pro League Committee held a meeting with the executive directirces of professional teams and briefed them on the new hairstyle guidelines - among other issues.
The issue of “weird” and “unethical” haircuts has sparked controversy in other GCC countries.
In 2012, Saudi goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah was ordered to cut his “un-Islamic” hair by the referee before playing for his club Al Shabab.
Some match officials in the UAE had to enforce the haircut rules fearing children and teenagers would emulate their looks.