FIFA Opens Disciplinary Case Against GFA Over Hearts of Oak Dispute; Threatens 20% Cut to Funding
World football body warns of funding cuts as Ghana FA faces sanctions over failure to enforce CAS ruling in Hearts of Oak player dispute.
- FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against the Ghana Football Association
- According to the communication, the GFA did not comply with the CAS decision
- FIFA warned of financial penalties if the deadline is not met
FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against the Ghana Football Association (GFA) over its failure to fully implement a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) involving Accra Hearts of Oak and former player Francis Adjetey.
In a letter dated June 3, 2025, FIFA’s Legal and Compliance Division informed the GFA that it had breached Article 21 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code—”Failure to respect decisions”—by not enforcing CAS’s February 26 ruling ordering payment to Adjetey.
According to the communication, the GFA did not comply with the CAS decision, which directed Hearts of Oak to settle arbitration costs amounting to CHF 1,000 owed to Adjetey.
FIFA has given the GFA 30 days from the date the proposed sanction becomes binding to make the payment and ensure full compliance with the CAS ruling.
Sanctions Loom if GFA Fails to Act
FIFA warned of financial penalties if the deadline is not met. Specifically, 20% of the next FIFA Forward payment due to the GFA will be withheld until Adjetey receives the full amount.
“If, after the first withholding, payment has still not been made, a further 20% of the subsequent FIFA Forward instalment will also be withheld,” the letter added. “At the creditor’s request, the case may then be escalated to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee for additional measures.”
GFA Offered Opportunity to Respond
Under Article 58 of the Disciplinary Code, the GFA has five days from receipt of the letter to reject the proposed sanction and present its case. If it does not respond, the proposed sanction will become final and binding.
FIFA has tentatively scheduled a meeting of its Disciplinary Committee for June 19, 2025, should the GFA opt to contest the sanction. The GFA was also instructed to submit legal representation via FIFA’s Legal Portal, if necessary.
Compliance Requirements
FIFA directed both the GFA and the creditor, Francis Adjetey—represented by the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG)—to notify its Disciplinary Committee Secretariat of any payments made or received, along with proof of transaction.
The letter was signed by Américo Espallargas, FIFA’s Head of Disciplinary, and emphasized that the current action does not preclude further disciplinary measures should the GFA fail to comply.
