Accra Hearts of Oak have been handed a transfer ban by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after failing to settle an outstanding payment owed to New Edubiase United FC over the transfer of midfielder Salim Adams.
The GFA’s Disciplinary Committee confirmed the decision, invoking Article 15(1)(c) of its code, following Hearts’ inability to pay a total of $70,000 ; comprising a $50,000 transfer balance and $20,000 as part of a sell-on clause.
Despite initial efforts to resolve the matter, including a meeting between the two clubs in March 2025, New Edubiase maintains that Hearts failed to honour the terms agreed. As a result, the GFA issued a final deadline of May 31, 2025, which the Accra-based club failed to meet.
In a ruling dated May 8, the GFA fined Hearts GH¢5,000 and warned of automatic sanctions if the payment was not made by the deadline.
On June 13, New Edubiase formally notified the GFA that no payment had been received, prompting the enforcement of the ban.
The sanction restricts Hearts of Oak from registering new players in both domestic and international windows until the full amount is cleared.
The disciplinary ruling cautioned:
“Failure to comply will trigger automatic sanctions without further hearings or appeals, and the ban will remain in place until the debt is fully settled.”
The transfer ban presents a major setback for the Phobians ahead of the new season, especially as they look to rebuild after a turbulent 2024/25 campaign
