Hearts of Oak Handed Fresh Transfer Ban Despite Settling New Edubiase Debt
Hearts of Oak Slapped with Fresh Transfer Ban Despite Settling New Edubiase Dispute
Ghana Premier League giants Accra Hearts of Oak have been hit with another transfer ban, just days after successfully resolving a long-standing financial dispute with New Edubiase United FC.
The Phobians recently paid a $38,000 settlement to New Edubiase, which led to the lifting of a previous transfer ban imposed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA). That ban stemmed from the club’s failure to comply with a GFA Players’ Status Committee ruling, which required Hearts to pay:
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$50,000 in outstanding transfer fees for midfielder Salim Adams
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$20,000, representing 40% of an onward transfer fee, in line with the original agreement
Despite an attempt to resolve the matter earlier in March 2025—when New Edubiase agreed to waive a portion of the total due following Adams’ failed move to FC Cincinnati—Hearts failed to meet the agreed timelines. As a result, the GFA imposed a transfer ban under Article 15(1)(c) of its Disciplinary Code after the club missed the final payment deadline of 31 May 2025.
Following a revised agreement between the two clubs, Hearts paid the agreed $38,000 in full roughly two weeks ago, leading to the automatic lifting of the ban in accordance with GFA rules.
New Ban Over Unpaid Debt to Former Player
However, the club’s administrative woes continue. Just days after the initial reprieve, a new transfer ban has been imposed—this time for failing to pay over GHS 106,000 to former player Francis Adjetey, as ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Hearts of Oak reportedly failed to meet the 7 July 2025 deadline to comply with the CAS directive, triggering another automatic ban.
Ongoing Financial and Legal Challenges
The back-to-back sanctions highlight persistent financial and compliance issues plaguing the club. With pre-season preparations underway, the latest development poses a significant setback to Hearts’ efforts to strengthen their squad for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.
The club is yet to issue an official statement on the latest ban or outline steps to resolve the issue with Adjetey.
