The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has imposed a transfer restriction on Accra Hearts of Oak after the team failed to pay $70,000 to New Edubiase United FC as directed.
The ban was imposed under Article 15(1)(c) of the GFA Disciplinary Code after Hearts of Oak failed to settle the amount before the final deadline of May 31, 2025.
The payment is the result of a decision by the GFA Players’ Status Committee, which required Hearts of Oak to pay New Edubiase $50,000 as an outstanding balance on Salim Adams’ transfer, plus an additional $20,000, which represents 40% of an onwards transfer fee.
Despite earlier acceptance of the verdict and a meeting between the two clubs in March to amicably address the situation, Hearts of Oak refused to fulfil the agreed-upon terms, according to New Edubiase United.
JoySports understands that Hearts of Oak asked Edubiase to write off the debt during the March meeting because the expected conclusion for Salim Adams’ transfer had failed.
The Phobians were expecting to earn around a million dollars from his transfer to FC Cincinnati, but he did not make the cut and was forced to return to the country.
Prior to his departure, the club promised to pay New Edubiase United $120,000 for the player’s permanent signing, but only paid $50,000.
In the March meeting between the two clubs, Edubiase promised to wipe off the debt because the company had gone wrong, but Hearts of Oak are alleged to have failed to uphold their end of the bargain, hence the club’s insistence on receiving the remaining $70,000.
On May 8, 2025, the GFA Disciplinary Committee penalised the club GH¢5,000 and gave them until the end of May to pay or face punishment, including a transfer ban.
JoySports’ Muftawu Nabila Abdulai viewed the GFA Disciplinary Committee’s verdict against Hearts of Oak, which stated:
“If Accra Hearts of Oak SC fails to comply with Decisions 1 and 2 on or before the deadline mentioned above, the club will face a transfer ban (both domestic and international) until full payment is made.
“That in accordance with Article 15(2) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, Accra Hearts of Oak SC is hereby warned to comply with this decision strictly; failing which the sanctions threatened in Decision 3 above shall be applied automatically by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), its bodies or Committees, IT Department of the GFA and all departments of the GFA.”
On June 13, 2025, New Edubiase United formally wrote to the General Secretary of the GFA, certifying that Hearts of Oak had been in continuous default beyond the deadline.
In the letter, the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Alex Ackumey, referred to Decision No. 4 of the Disciplinary Committee’s finding and stated that the sanction under Article 15(1)(c) was now automatically applicable due to the club’s chronic noncompliance.
New Edubiase United letter to the GFA
“For your information, Hearts of Oak is still in continuous default beyond the May 31, 2025 deadline.” In fact, the sanction provided in Article 15(1)(c) applies automatically, and we believe it is necessary to notify you about DECISION No. 4, which is administrative.
“Many thanks for your cooperation.”
According to sources, Hearts of Oak called Edubiase approximately a week ago to advise them that a $20,000 cheque was ready, but the club declined.
According to the GFA’s disciplinary procedures, the transfer restriction prevents Hearts of Oak from signing new players locally and overseas until the whole fee is paid.
In the event of continuing noncompliance, the regulation allows for additional sanctions such as point deductions or relegations.