Accra Hearts of Oak has been hit with a transfer ban by world football governing body FIFA after failing to settle a $150,000 debt owed to their former technical director, Rene Hiddink.

The sanction stems from the club’s failure to meet a 90-day deadline to compensate the Dutchman, whose three-year contract, signed in July 2023, was terminated after only eight months.

Hiddink contested the dismissal, describing it as unfair, and subsequently lodged a complaint with FIFA.

The ruling went in his favour, with the organisation directing the Ghanaian giants to pay the agreed sum.

In its statement, FIFA confirmed, “A ban from registering new players internationally and nationally has been implemented on the Respondent. 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 development presents a significant challenge for Hearts of Oak as they prepare for the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.

With the sanction in place, the Phobians cannot sign new players, leaving them reliant on their existing squad at a time when many rivals are reinforcing their teams.

Beyond the immediate sporting implications, the case underscores a recurring challenge for Ghanaian clubs: contract mismanagement and financial instability.

Similar disputes have in the past attracted sanctions from FIFA against local sides, raising questions about governance, legal compliance, and professional standards in club administration.

For Hearts of Oak, one of Ghana’s most storied football institutions, the ban not only dents their preparations for the upcoming season but also tarnishes their reputation on the international stage.Until the debt is cleared, the club risks falling further behind both domestically and in continental competitions.