CAS orders Hearts of Oak to compensate former player Francis Adjetey

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has delivered a ruling against Ghanaian football club Hearts of Oak, mandating the club to pay its former player, Francis Adjetey, a sum of GHC 114,000 for breach of contract.

Additionally, an interest of 5% per annum will be applied from September 15, 2023, until the full amount is paid. This decision follows the club’s wrongful termination of Adjetey’s contract.

The verdict, issued on February 26, 2025, marks the conclusion of a long-standing legal dispute between Adjetey and the Accra-based club. The ruling also overturns the decision previously made by the Ghana Football Association’s Appeals Committee on February 26, 2024.

Adjetey, who once played for the Phobians, took legal action after alleging that Hearts of Oak failed to honor their contractual obligations. As a result, he sought justice through CAS, the highest authority in resolving sports-related disputes.

After thorough examination of the case, CAS determined that Hearts of Oak had indeed violated the terms of the player’s contract. Consequently, the court ruled in Adjetey’s favor, instructing the club to compensate him for the damages suffered.

As of now, Hearts of Oak has not issued an official response regarding the ruling. The club faces two options—comply with the directive and settle the payment or explore the possibility of an appeal. However, given the nature of CAS rulings, the chances of overturning the verdict appear minimal.

Despite the legal setback, the Phobians remain focused on their campaign in the Ghana Premier League. Their attention now shifts to their upcoming fixture against Bechem United, scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 2025.