The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has imposed a transfer ban on Legon Cities Football Club after the club failed to comply with a payment plan ordered by the GFA’s Players’ Status Committee (PSC) and enforced by the Disciplinary Committee.
The case, dating back to October 2021, involves unpaid entitlements owed to former player Francis Nuer Addo. The Disciplinary Committee ruled that the club must pay GH¢29,000 in outstanding salaries and benefits, covering the period between October 2021 and October 2022.
Despite several reminders and an extended payment schedule, Legon Cities defaulted on the agreed instalments, missing deadlines in December 2024, January 2025, and February 2025.
As a result, the club was fined GH¢5,000, and a transfer ban came into effect after the final deadline of February 23, 2025.
The GFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruling stated:
“Pursuant to Article 15(1)(a) of the GFA Disciplinary Code, Legon Cities FC is hereby fined an amount of Five Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢5,000.00) for failing to comply with the Players’ Status Committee’s decision. This fine is payable on or before Friday, December 6, 2024.
“Pursuant to Article 15(1)(b), Legon Cities FC is given a final deadline to pay the full amount of GH¢29,000.00 in three instalments:
i. GH¢10,000.00 by December 23, 2024
ii. GH¢10,000.00 by January 23, 2025
iii. GH¢9,000.00 by February 23, 2025
“Pursuant to Article 15(1)(c), if the club fails to comply with the above decisions, the following automatic sanctions shall apply:
i. A deduction of three points for every league or FA Cup match played while the debt remains unpaid
ii. A transfer ban (domestic and international) from the opening of the 2025/26 player transfer window.”
The committee further warned that under Article 15(2), the GFA and all its departments would be obligated to enforce the sanctions automatically.
Despite these warnings, Legon Cities failed to meet the payment deadlines. Consequently, the transfer ban has been triggered for the 2025/26 season, barring the club from registering new players until the debt is fully settled.
The regulations also state that the club should have forfeited all league and FA Cup matches played after February 23, 2025. However, this was not enforced.
Former player Francis Nuer Addo, who initiated the enforcement process through the Professional Footballers Association of Ghana (PFAG), has expressed disappointment at the GFA’s delay in applying the sanctions.
In a letter dated June 19, 2025, addressed to the GFA, Addo accused the association of selective enforcement, citing the prompt sanctions issued against Nsoatreman FC in a similar case.
“Pursuant to Article 15(2) of the GFA Disciplinary Code (2019), which requires the creditor to request the commencement of applicable sanctions, I did so by a letter dated 14th April 2025 and delivered on 15th April 2025,” he wrote.
“Respectfully, to date, you have not dignified my request with any administrative response, let alone shown by deed and fact that the said automatic sanction is applicable since 23rd February 2025.”
Addo argued that the failure to apply the sanctions compromises the integrity of the Ghana Premier League and undermines trust in the GFA’s judicial bodies. He also warned that the inaction could deter potential sponsors and investors.
He further raised concerns about the potential impact on players who may unknowingly sign contracts with Legon Cities despite the transfer ban.
“The league table must be revised to reflect the forfeiture of matches as provided by the regulations,” Addo demanded. “The GFA must also publish the list of all clubs under transfer bans to protect the interest of players.”
He called on the Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Authority, and the media to intervene and demand transparency in the enforcement of football regulations.
As it stands, Legon Cities are officially barred from registering players for the 2025/26 season until the GH¢29,000 owed to Nuer Addo is fully paid.
The club was relegated to Division One at the end of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League season.