David Wannie, lawyer of former Hearts of Oak technical director Rene Hiddink, has issued a stern warning to the Ghanaian giants if they fail to settle financial obligations owed to his client.
According to him, he will propose relegation to FIFA if Hearts of Oak do not clear the arrears owed his client.
FIFA’s decision, he explained, is unequivocal: Hearts of Oak cannot sign any players for three consecutive transfer windows unless the full payment is made to Hiddink in one installment.
“FIFA’s decision is simple and straightforward. The club can’t sign anyone for 3 transfer windows until and unless it pays Rene all of the money in one go. If they fail to do that during this period I’ll go back to FIFA and ask them to either relegate the club or have it closed down,” Wannie warned.
Speaking to Ghanasportspage, Wannie revealed that repeated attempts to reach an amicable settlement with Hearts were ignored, forcing FIFA to step in with a ruling that now restricts the club’s transfer activities.
“No, the time for coming to some arrangement or agreement on paying the money has long gone. I contacted the club well over a year ago about this to try and come to some arrangement about payment, but they simply ignored me and didn’t even return my correspondence,” he said.
The matter was later referred to FIFA, which has since ruled that Hearts cannot register new players for three transfer windows unless they pay Hiddink’s outstanding entitlements in full.
