Ghanaian giants Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club have been handed a transfer ban by FIFA after failing to settle financial obligations owed to former Dutch coach René Hiddink.
In a letter issued via the FIFA Legal Portal (Ref. no. FDD-25097) and signed by Américo Espallargas, Head of Disciplinary, the world football governing body confirmed that the decision follows an earlier ruling (Ref. no. FPSD-17518), which Hearts of Oak have yet to comply with.
According to FIFA, the embargo affects both international and national player registrations, meaning the Phobians are barred from signing new players until the outstanding payment to Hiddink is cleared.
“The registration ban will remain active until the amount due is paid and for a maximum duration of up to three entire and consecutive registration periods,” the statement read.
FIFA has also directed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to ensure the sanction is enforced domestically without delay.
The sanction comes at a crucial time for the Accra-based club, who are preparing for the new Ghana Premier League season and were looking to strengthen their squad. Failure to resolve the issue swiftly could derail their transfer plans and competitive prospects.
René Hiddink, a Dutch football coach with experience in youth development and national team assistance, had previously taken legal action against the club over contractual breaches, leading to the FIFA ruling.
This latest development adds to the growing list of disciplinary cases involving Ghanaian clubs and former employees, highlighting ongoing concerns about financial management and contractual compliance in local football.
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