FIFA Orders Hearts of Oak to Pay GHC 106,000 to Ex-Player Francis Adjetey Within 30 Days

FIFA has issued a 30-day ultimatum to Ghanaian football club Hearts of Oak to settle an outstanding payment of over GHC 106,000 owed to their former player, Francis Adjetey. The directive follows a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which found in favor of the player earlier this year.

According to the CAS judgment, dated February 26, 2025, Hearts of Oak must pay the sum with an annual interest rate of 5%, calculated from September 15, 2023. The legal dispute arose after Adjetey challenged what he described as an unlawful termination of his contract, coupled with the club’s failure to fulfill contractual commitments.

The CAS ruling overturned an earlier decision by the Ghana Football Association’s Appeals Committee, which had dismissed Adjetey’s claims. After the player escalated the matter to the international tribunal, CAS found that his contract had been unfairly ended and that he was entitled to compensation.

Additionally, CAS ordered both Hearts of Oak and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to share the cost of CHF 1,000 in legal fees related to the case.

FIFA’s letter, dated June 10, 2025, made it clear that the CAS ruling is final and binding. The world football governing body warned that if the club fails to comply within the 30-day timeframe, it will withhold 20% of the next FIFA Forward development payment allocated to the GFA. FIFA also hinted at further sanctions, which could include competition bans or additional financial penalties.

This ruling adds to the growing financial and operational challenges facing Hearts of Oak. The club is currently under a separate transfer ban due to an unresolved $70,000 debt owed to New Edubiase United, stemming from the transfer of midfielder Salim Adams. That situation has already hindered the club’s ability to register new players ahead of the upcoming season.

The mounting financial liabilities are casting a shadow over Hearts of Oak’s preparations for the 2025/26 campaign. With the threat of sanctions looming, the club is under pressure to settle its debts quickly or risk further damage to its reputation and competitiveness on both domestic and continental fronts.