By: Kwame Bediako
Accra Hearts of Oak’s recent payment to New Edubiase United FC, which lifted a previous transfer ban, has been overshadowed by a fresh embargo imposed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA). The new ban came after the club failed to meet a July 7, 2025 deadline to pay over GHS 106,000 owed to former player Francis Adjetey, following a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling.
This latest sanction bars the club from registering new players both domestically and internationally.
The initial ban was triggered by Hearts of Oak’s failure to pay $70,000 to New Edubiase United, covering the outstanding balance on midfielder Salim Adams’ transfer and a share of an onward transfer fee. Despite New Edubiase’s offer to waive part of the debt due to Adams’ unsuccessful move to FC Cincinnati, Hearts of Oak missed multiple deadlines, prompting the GFA to enforce the ban. The club eventually settled a reduced amount of $38,000, which temporarily lifted the transfer restrictions.
However, the club soon breached another disciplinary ruling after failing to pay Francis Adjetey GHS 106,477.42 plus interest and legal costs, as directed by CAS. The GFA set a firm deadline of July 7, 2025, warning that failure to comply would automatically trigger a transfer ban. Hearts of Oak missed this deadline, resulting in the reinstatement of the ban that disrupts their squad strengthening plans.
Sources reveal that Hearts of Oak proposed paying Adjetey in three installments, with the first payment scheduled for July 11, 2025. Adjetey, however, rejected this offer, insisting on full payment upfront.
The club’s Managing Director, Delali Anku Adiamah, has been engaging with the former Tema Youth captain to rebuild trust, but as of July 9, 2025, no agreement has been reached, keeping the ban in place.
This ongoing cycle of financial disputes and transfer bans highlights significant challenges in Hearts of Oak’s financial management and compliance with regulatory rulings.
The repeated sanctions threaten the club’s ability to compete effectively in the upcoming season, underscoring the urgent need for resolution to avoid further setbacks. The transfer ban will only be lifted once the outstanding payments are fully settled.
