Major League Soccer has issued lifetime bans to former players Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah after determining that both violated the league’s gambling policy. The disciplinary action followed an investigation into betting activity linked to the two players during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Investigation Triggered by Betting Alerts

League officials began reviewing the matter after suspicious betting alerts surfaced through monitoring partners. In October 2025, MLS placed Jones and Yeboah on administrative leave while the inquiry proceeded. After examining the evidence, the league concluded that both players had engaged in significant betting activity on soccer matches, including wagers tied to games involving their own teams.

The investigation determined that the players bet on soccer throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons. One specific instance cited by the league involved a wager placed during a match on October 19, 2024, where both players bet on Jones receiving a yellow card during the game. According to the league’s findings, Jones did receive the card during that match.

“After reviewing the results of the investigation, MLS concluded that the players engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including on their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. In one instance, both players bet on Jones to draw a yellow card during an October 19, 2024 match, which he received,” the league said.

The inquiry began after MLS received alerts indicating suspicious wagering patterns connected to the players. In response, the league retained an external law firm to conduct a detailed investigation into possible violations of its gambling rules.

The review looked at betting activity during the period when the players were teammates with the Columbus Crew in the 2024 season. It also examined activity in 2025, when Yeboah played for Los Angeles FC. During the investigation, MLS placed both athletes on administrative leave pending its findings.

The probe also determined that the two players likely exchanged conditional information with each other related to the bets. Investigators concluded that the players may have shared inside details associated with wagering activity. At the same time, the league stated that its investigation did not uncover evidence indicating that the bets affected the outcomes of matches.

“Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber, ESPN reports. “The League will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans.”

Player Careers and Team History

Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah both played for the Columbus Crew during the 2024 MLS season. Jones appeared in 23 matches across the 2024 and 2025 seasons while playing for the club. Yeboah also spent time with the Crew before joining Los Angeles FC in 2025.

Jones represented several MLS teams during his career, including the Philadelphia Union, Nashville SC, Houston Dynamo FC, Charlotte FC and the Columbus Crew. Yeboah joined MLS in 2022 when he signed with the Crew.

Neither player was under contract with an MLS club at the time the lifetime bans were announced. Jones had his team option declined by Columbus in November. Yeboah departed Los Angeles FC earlier this year and signed with Chinese Super League side Qingdao Hainiu F.C.

The Columbus Crew released a statement condemning the players’ actions and confirming that the club cooperated with the league throughout the investigation.

“The Crew — who strictly adhere to all MLS policies on educating and enforcing sports gambling regulations with team personnel — fully cooperated with the league since first learning about the inquiry regarding the players in question,” the statement read.

Gambling Violations Across Professional Sports

The Jones and Yeboah case represents the latest example of gambling-related discipline within professional sports leagues in North America. MLS has previously addressed similar violations involving players who bet on matches.

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez faced league discipline in 2021 after betting on two MLS games that did not involve his own team. He reported the violations himself and served a suspension that caused him to miss the final six matches of the season. Hernandez was later placed on administrative leave again in 2024 before MLS terminated his contract, making him ineligible to sign with another club until 2026.

Other major sports leagues have also issued severe penalties in response to gambling violations. In Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres utility player Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban in 2024 for wagering on baseball markets through a licensed sportsbook and on international games.

The NBA also issued a lifetime ban to former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter after he provided inside information about NBA games to a group connected to betting activity. Porter later pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in federal court.

Gambling-related investigations have also affected college sports. The NCAA recently ruled several college basketball players ineligible after betting-related misconduct that included game manipulation and the sharing of information with bettors.