Sports
We are engaging FIFA to resolve outstanding financial issues – Hearts of Oak tells supporters
Accra Hearts of Oak has assured its fans that the club is taking urgent steps to address financial issues that led to a registration ban from FIFA.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 22, 2025, the club confirmed that FIFA had placed the ban due to outstanding financial obligations connected to the Renne Hiddink case.
The management explained that it was already engaging both the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and FIFA to find a swift and responsible solution.
The club further clarified that the ban would not affect its current squad since all player registrations had been completed before the sanction took effect.
“We appeal to our Phobian family to remain calm and united. The leadership is committed to transparency, accountability, and the long-term stability of Hearts of Oak” the statement said.
Hearts of Oak expressed gratitude to supporters for their loyalty and called on them to continue believing in the club’s vision and resilience during this challenging period.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Sports
Black Stars, Black Queens, Black Satellites, Black Starlets to benefit from MTN’s $2m sponsorship deal with GFA
Telecommunications giant, MTN Ghana, has reinforced its commitment to Ghana football with a $2 million sponsorship package covering four national teams — the Black Stars, Black Queens, Black Satellites, and Black Starlets — for the next two years.
The landmark agreement, announced on Thursday at a colourful ceremony at MTN House in Accra, extends company’s existing partnership with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Black Stars, and will run from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027.
The event drew prominent figures including GFA President, Kurt Simeon- Okraku, members of the Executive Council, Chief Director at the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Wilhelmina Asamoah, (representing the Minister), Black Stars legends, and football enthusiasts.
MTN CEO, Stephen Blewett, recalling his personal connection to Ghanaian football dating back to the Black Stars’ 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final run in South Africa, praised the passion and unity the sport inspires in Ghana.
“Football here is not just a sport — it is part of the national heartbeat,” Mr Blewett said. “The pride, passion, and unity it creates is a testament to its unmatched power to connect and inspire people.”
He described MTN as “the biggest corporate supporter of Ghanaian football,” highlighting the brand’s ongoing sponsorship of the MTN FA Cup since 2011 and plans for a national MTN Elite U-19 side to scout future stars for the U-20 team.
Mr Blewett also threw down a bold challenge to the Black Stars; saying “Ghana has never lifted the World Cup trophy, but that should be the spark, not the scar. At MTN, we want to see Ghana win the World Cup — that’s our dream, mission, and commitment.”
The GFA President, Kurt Simeon-Okraku, lauded MTN’s investment, calling it a lifeline for the sport.
“MTN Ghana believes in our present and our collective future. With this deal, the biggest problem facing Ghana football has been solved,” he said, promising to ensure the resources were used effectively to achieve results.
He noted that the MTN FA Cup’s reach — encompassing second and third-tier clubs nationwide — has provided a vital platform for young, lesser-known players, to compete against top-level talent and showcase their skills.
The Chief Director, Wilhemina Asamoah, commended MTN’s wider contributions to national development, urging other corporate bodies to emulate their commitment.
“Sports has the power to impact lives, boost economic growth, and strengthen cultural and social cohesion,” she said.
The new sponsorship underscores MTN’s longstanding partnership with Ghana football and its ambition to see the nation rise to the very top of the global game.
By Spectator Reporter
Sports
FIFA bans Accra Hearts of Oak over failure to pay Rene Hiddink
World football governing body, FIFA, has placed a transfer ban on Accra Hearts of Oak for failing to settle their financial obligations to Dutch coach Rene Hiddink.
In a letter dated August 21, 2025, FIFA said the club had not complied with a decision that required them to pay the coach.
According to FIFA, the ban will prevent Hearts of Oak from registering new players both in Ghana and internationally.
The restriction will remain until the debt is cleared and could last for up to three full registration periods.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has also been instructed to enforce the ban at the national level.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee noted that the sanction was necessary after the club failed to meet its financial responsibility.
By: Jacob Aggrey
