Ghana Premier League (GPL) club, Hearts of Oak, has responded to FIFA's official statement ordering a three-window transfer ban.

In a rejoinder, issued on August 22, Hearts confirmed the ban, assuring fans that the relevant engagements are being done quickly to resolve the matter.

"Accra Hearts of Oak wishes to inform its cherished supporters, stakeholders, and the wider football community of a recent communication from FIFA regarding the Rene Hiddink matter.FIFA has confirmed the implementation of a registration ban on the club due to unresolved financial obligations.

"We acknowledge the seriousness of this development and wish to assure our supporters that the Management and Board are actively engaging all relevant parties, including the Ghana Football Association and FIFA, to resolve the matter swiftly and responsibly", the club said.

It then went on to assure fans that, all player registrations had been completed before the effect of the ban, urging fans to remain calm.

"Importantly, we wish to clarify that our current player registrations had been completed prior to the enforcement of this ban. Therefore, there will be no immediate disruption to our squad or competitive commitments

"We understand the concerns this may raise, and we appeal to our Phobian family to remain calm and united. The club's leadership is fully committed to transparency, accountability, and the long-term stability of Hearts of Oak," the statement continued.

The Premier League giants assured fans that "Discussions are ongoing, and we are confident that a constructive resolution will be reached. We thank you for your unwavering support and loyalty. In times like these, your belief in the club's vision and resilience means everything," urging their fellow Phobians to "Never say die".

The club's statement follows FIFA penalised the local football club after they missed the ninety-day (90) payment deadline to settle the $150,000 owed to Rene.

In a statement dated August 21, FIFA ordered the club to pay Rene what is due him since it has refused to comply with his previous directive "in the matter ref. no. FPSD-17518 (the Decision)".

"We refer to the abovementioned matter, as well as the decision passed by FIFA in the matter ref. no. FPSD-17518 (the Decision).In this context, it appears that, despite the Decision, Accra Hearts of Oak S/C (the Respondent) has not yet complied with its financial obligations towards Rene Hiddink," excerpts of the statement read.

Consequently, FIFA has barred Hearts of Oak from engaging in any transfer deals, both internationally and locally, for the next three windows: Window 1 (August 2025 – January 2026), Window 2 (January 2026 – August 2026), and Window 3 (August 2026 – January 2027).

"In this regard, we wish to inform the parties that a ban from registering new players internationally and nationally has been implemented by FIFA on the Respondent,"it continued.

Until they settle, Rene, the ban remains active."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".

FIFA has therefore charged the Ghana Football Association to ensure compliance on the part of the Ghana Premier League Club.

It all started when Hearts of Oak signed a three-year deal with the Dutch football coach in July. However, before he could exhaust a year, the club sacked him in the eighth month, March 2024.

According to reports, no official letter was issued to Rene to annul his appointment, but he was simply told by word of mouth that his time with the club had come to an end.

Currently, the reasons behind his abrupt dismissal haven't been made public; however, it is reported that it was as a result of Hearts of Oak not publicly disclosing a specific reason. The aftermath, however, suggests serious internal conflict. Visibly dissatisfied with how the club dealt with him, Rene filed a formal complaint with FIFA in mid-2024 for wrongful termination. Hiddink’s lawyer, David Winnie, slammed the club for acting “dishonestly and sneakily” by rushing player registrations before the ban took effect on August 22. He sent a petition to FIFA.

Hearts is likely to suffer from this ban as the club prepares ahead of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) early August released the full fixture list for the 2025/26 Premier League season.

This allows fans and teams to know what to expect in the upcoming season.

Under a 34-matchday timetable, the 18 teams in the league will each play every other team twice, once at home and once away, to ensure fairness and balance.

Defending champions Gold Stars FC will start the season with a title defence fixture against Bechem United at the Duns Park in Bibiani, setting the tone for what promises to be another thrilling season of top-flight football in Ghana.

Asante Kotoko will clash with Berekum Chelsea in their opening encounter, while Hearts of Oak will start the campaign with a home clash against newly promoted Hohoe United.

Match Day 1 also features intriguing away assignments for former champions: Medeama SC visit Young Apostles, while FC Samartex make a trip to face Vision FC.

Premier League returnees Swedru All Blacks FC and Eleven Wonders FC begin their campaigns on the road, visiting Nations FC and Basake Holy Stars, respectively. Heart of Lions, last season’s runners-up, will host Dreams FC in their first fixture, while Karela United will entertain Aduana FC.

The first leg of the iconic clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko SC is scheduled for Match Day 5 at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the reverse fixture set for Match Day 22 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

On Match Day 9, Nations FC will play against Asante Kotoko at home and visit the Porcupine Warriors' home for a return leg in Kumasi for Match Day 26 in the Ashanti Derby.

Hohoe United will host Kpando Heart of Lions on Match Day 17, before making the trip to Kpando for the reverse fixture on the final day of the Premier League, Match Day 34, marking the return of the Volta derby after several years.

A string of Brong Ahafo regional battles is set to heat up the calendar.

Young Apostles will face Bechem United on Match Day 5, Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 7, and Aduana FC on Match Day 16. Return fixtures are set for Match Days 22, 24, and 33, respectively. Aduana FC are also scheduled for a match against Bechem United on Match Day 9 and Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 11.

Bechem United is scheduled to lock horns with Eleven Wonders on Match Day 14 and Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 17. Eleven Wonders will travel to Berekum Chelsea on Match Day 16 for a clash at the Golden City Park.

Medeama SC will host FC Samartex on Match Day 6, with the reverse fixture scheduled for Match Day 23. On Match Day 15, Medeama will welcome Basake Holy Stars, before travelling for the return leg on Match Day 32. Meanwhile, FC Samartex will face Basake Holy Stars away on Match Day 14, with the return leg of the Western Derby set for Match Day 31.

The 2025/26 Premier League season is set to begin on September 12, 2025 and end on the weekend of May 23/24, 2026.

The eight-month schedule is in alignment with the 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026, slated for June 11 to July 19, 2026.

The FIFA World Cup will start about seventeen days after the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season ends.

This helps ensure that all elite domestic competitions end before the beginning of the global showpiece.

With the 31st Ordinary Session of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Congress, scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence in Prampram, the Football Association has confirmed that the Premier League will start as planned and finish in May 2026, following FIFA’s official calendar.

Matches will mostly be played on weekends, while midweek games will be used to make up for any matches that were postponed—just like in the 2024/25 season.