Hohoe United Banned and Demoted to Division Two After Premier League Withdrawal
Hohoe United have been handed a severe punishment by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after abruptly withdrawing from the ongoing Ghana Premier League season.
The GFA’s Disciplinary Committee has suspended the newly promoted club from all official competitions until the 2029/2030 season, citing a clear breach of league regulations. The decision, announced on Friday, 1 May 2026, follows Hohoe United’s unilateral move to pull out of the 2025/26 campaign during the second round.
In an official statement, the GFA confirmed that the club had failed to honour its fixtures after formally notifying the Association of its withdrawal on 1 April 2026. The Committee subsequently found the club guilty of misconduct, describing the action as a violation of Article 13 of the Ghana Premier League Regulations.
As part of the sanctions, all registered players of Hohoe United will be granted free agent status by the GFA’s Players’ Status Committee, allowing them to join new clubs without restriction, subject to conditions tied to their previous transfers.
The club has also been demoted and will compete in Division Two under the Greater Accra Regional Football Association upon the completion of its suspension. Additionally, Hohoe United have been ordered to refund all financial support and equipment received from the GFA during the 2025/26 season.
The Disciplinary Committee further stressed that the suspension does not exempt the club from settling any outstanding financial obligations owed to the GFA or other parties.
Under GFA statutes, Hohoe United have a three-day window from the date of notification to appeal the ruling to the Appeals Committee.
A Dramatic Rise and Sudden Fall
Hohoe United’s punishment marks a dramatic downturn for a club that only recently celebrated a historic achievement. The side earned promotion to the Ghana Premier League after an impressive Division One Zone III campaign, recording 23 wins, four defeats and three draws to finish five points clear at the top.
They made a promising start to life in the top flight, holding Accra Hearts of Oak to a goalless draw at the Accra Sports Stadium on the opening day of the season. However, a run of poor results soon followed, with the club’s leadership citing concerns over what they described as “unfair officiating”.
Their eventual decision to withdraw from the league has now come at a significant cost, not only to the club but also to its players and supporters in Hohoe, who were experiencing top-flight football for the first time.
The ruling serves as a stark reminder of the strict regulatory framework governing Ghanaian football, and the consequences clubs face for failing to fulfil their obligations.