The legal battle surrounding Accra Hearts of Oak has intensified, with the lawyer of former Technical Director Rene Hiddink threatening to petition FIFA for even harsher sanctions against the club.
According to the lawyer, Hearts acted in bad faith by rushing to register their newly signed players for the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season despite being fully aware that a transfer ban was imminent.
FIFA, on Thursday, August 21, 2025, imposed the sanction after the Phobians failed to settle a $150,000 debt owed to Hiddink following his wrongful dismissal in 2023. The ruling prevents the club from registering players for up to three transfer windows unless the debt is cleared.
Hiddink’s lawyer, David Winnie, speaking in an interview with Oyerepa FM, described Hearts’ conduct as both dishonest and damaging to the integrity of the game.
FIFA imposes transfer ban on Hearts of Oak over unsettled $150,000 debt
“Hearts of Oak acted dishonestly and sneakily. They knew the FIFA ban was coming, so they rushed player registrations. I will petition FIFA to dissolve the club,” Winnie said.
The revelation adds a new twist to the saga, piling more pressure on Hearts’ management as they scramble to resolve the long-running dispute.
Meanwhile, attention shifts back to the pitch, where Hearts of Oak face Ghana Premier League champions Bibiani Gold Stars at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday, August 22, 2025, in Matchday 2 of the GHALCA Top 4, having already edged Heart of Lions 1-0 in their opening fixture.
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