Istanbul: The chairman of Turkish football club Genclerbirligi has vowed to fine players who have beards after claiming some look like students of an Islamic school.

"I'm 80 and I shave every day," Ilhan Cavcav, chairman of the Ankara-based club, said in an interview with the Dogan news agency.

Turkey's bearded goalkeeper Volkan Demirel. Credit:Attila Kisbenedek

"Is this an imam school? You are a sportsman. You should be a model for the youth."



Genclerbirligi, which is currently ninth in the first division, will impose a 25,000 Turkish lira ($A12,000) fine on any player who takes to the pitch with a beard.

