Accra Hearts of Oak has been slapped with a transfer ban by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after the club failed to comply with a directive to pay $70,000 to New Edubiase United FC.

The sanction, issued in line with Article 15(1)(c) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, took effect after Hearts of Oak missed the final deadline of May 31, 2025, to settle the amount.

The debt arises from a decision by the GFA Players’ Status Committee, which ordered Hearts of Oak to pay $50,000 as the outstanding balance for the transfer of midfielder Salim Adams, along with an additional $20,000, representing 40 percent of an onward transfer fee agreement.

Despite initial efforts to resolve the issue amicably, including a meeting between both clubs in March, Hearts of Oak reportedly failed to fulfil the terms discussed.

According to sources at New Edubiase United, Hearts had appealed for a debt write-off due to the failed transfer of Salim Adams to Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati.

The Phobians had anticipated earning nearly $1 million from the player's move to the U.S., but the transfer collapsed after Adams failed to secure a permanent place in the team and was subsequently recalled to Ghana.

Initially, Hearts of Oak had agreed to pay New Edubiase $120,000 as part of the full transfer arrangement, but only managed to pay $50,000.

During the March negotiations, Edubiase is said to have shown goodwill by agreeing to consider the failed business venture. However, Hearts allegedly failed to reciprocate by formalising or honouring the revised understanding, prompting Edubiase to demand full payment of the outstanding amount.

Following the unresolved payment, the GFA Disciplinary Committee, in a ruling dated May 8, 2025, fined Hearts of Oak GH¢5,000 and issued a final warning to settle the debt by the end of May or face punitive measures—including a ban from registering new players.

With the deadline now expired and the debt unpaid, the GFA has officially imposed a transfer ban, barring Hearts of Oak from participating in any transfer activity until the outstanding payment is made.