FIFA has taken decisive action against Hearts of Oak by imposing a transfer ban on the club.
This move stems from their failure to rectify an outstanding debt of $14,002 owed to former coach Slavko Matic, local media reports have said.
The international football governing body has further directed the Ghana Football Association to enforce this decision at the national level.
The origins of this dispute can be traced back to March 2023, when Serbian coach Slavko Matic was abruptly dismissed by Hearts of Oak. His exit was marked by a tense situation, with disgruntled supporters confronting him during a training session.
In response to the escalating tension, Matic took the step of filing a formal complaint with the Ghana Police, citing concerns for his safety. In return, Hearts of Oak conveyed their inability to guarantee the coach's security.
With no resolution reached at the domestic level, Matic elevated the matter to FIFA, leading to a verdict in July of the same year. FIFA ruled unequivocally in favor of Matic, instructing Hearts of Oak to compensate their former coach with $14,002 for breaching his contract.
In light of Hearts of Oak's failure to comply with FIFA's directive, the international body has swiftly enacted a transfer ban on the club.
This ban is currently in force, preventing the club from registering new players until they fulfill their outstanding financial obligation to Matic.