Hearts of Oak Hit with FIFA Transfer Ban Over Unpaid Debt to Rene Hiddink
Accra Hearts of Oak have suffered a major setback after FIFA imposed a three-transfer window registration ban on the club for failing to settle an outstanding debt owed to their former Technical Director, Rene Hiddink.
In a letter dated 21 August 2025 from FIFA’s Legal and Compliance Division, the Phobians were ordered to pay USD 150,000 to Hiddink within 90 days under ruling reference FPSD-17518. However, the club’s failure to comply has now triggered disciplinary sanctions that block them from registering new players both domestically and internationally.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has also been instructed to enforce the ban at the national level, further compounding Hearts’ woes as they prepare for the new season.
This development comes at a crucial time for the club, who have been seeking to rebuild their squad in a bid to restore their dominance in Ghanaian football. With the ban in effect, the Phobians will be unable to bring in reinforcements, leaving them vulnerable in the coming campaign.
The ruling underscores FIFA’s strict approach to financial discipline, serving as a warning to clubs worldwide that ignoring contractual obligations will result in severe consequences.
For Hearts, the only route to lifting the ban lies in fully paying the USD 150,000 owed to Rene Hiddink. The onus now rests on the club’s leadership to urgently mobilise resources, as prolonged restrictions could further deepen their struggles both on and off the pitch.
