Ghana’s Premier League club, Hearts of Oak, says it is following directives given to it by FIFA to settle the debt owed to its former technical director, René Hiddink.

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.

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. Consequently, he sent a petition to FIFA and had a FIFA rule in his favour.

Hearts, however, 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 above-mentioned 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 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 (JanWindow 2 (January 2026 – August 2026), and Window 3 (August 2026 – January 2027).

Communications Director of Hearts of Oak, Kwame Opare Addo, in an update on the case, noted that, despite the former technical director’s decision to take the case to a Ghanaian court to seek resolution, his outfit is following FIFA’s directives to settle the debt owed him.

“René Hiddink has taken our debt case to a Ghanaian court despite the FIFA ruling, but Hearts of Oak is complying with FIFA directives to settle the outstanding debt owed to him,” he said on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

He emphasised that the club has no intention of avoiding its obligations.

“Hearts of Oak aren’t reluctant to settle our debt with René Hiddink,” Opare Addo added.

The Phobians are enduring a mixed campaign in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League and currently sit sixth on the table with 18 points from 11 matches.

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.

According to the timetable, Asante Kotoko was scheduled to 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 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.