Major League Soccer has handed lifetime bans to players Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah after an investigation found they were involved in gambling on soccer matches, including bets connected to their own team.
The league announced the decision on Monday, saying the two players violated its strict rules on sports betting during the 2024 and 2025 MLS seasons.
MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league remains firmly committed to protecting the integrity of the game.
Investigation Found Betting on Their Own Team
According to the league’s investigation, Jones and Yeboah placed multiple wagers on soccer matches, including bets involving their own club at the time, the Columbus Crew.
One of the most notable incidents took place during a match on October 19, 2024, when the two players reportedly bet that Jones would receive a yellow card in a game against the New York Red Bulls. Jones later received that yellow card during the match.
Investigators also believe the players may have shared inside information with other bettors about the plan to draw bookings, although there was no evidence that the overall result of any match was manipulated.
Suspensions Follow Months of Investigation
Both players had already been placed on administrative leave in October 2025 while the league reviewed suspicious betting activity flagged by integrity monitoring partners.
MLS also brought in an outside law firm to assist with the investigation before making the final decision to permanently ban the players from the league.
Garber said MLS will continue working with regulators and betting operators to limit certain betting markets, including wagers on yellow cards, which have raised concerns about potential manipulation.
Careers of Both Players
Derrick Jones, now 29, started his MLS career with the Philadelphia Union in 2016 and later played for clubs including Nashville SC, Houston Dynamo, Charlotte FC, and Columbus Crew.
Yaw Yeboah, 28, spent several seasons with the Columbus Crew from 2022 to 2024 before joining Los Angeles FC in 2025. After leaving MLS earlier this year, he signed with Chinese club Qingdao Hainiu.
Following the investigation, both players are now permanently banned from participating in Major League Soccer.
Gambling Rules in Professional Sports
Most professional sports leagues around the world prohibit athletes from betting on games in their own sport. These rules are designed to prevent conflicts of interest and protect the fairness of competition.
Major League Soccer’s regulations clearly state that players and team staff are not allowed to bet on soccer matches, especially games involving their own team.
Similar cases have occurred in the past. For example, MLS suspended Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernández in 2021 after he admitted placing wagers on MLS matches, although those bets did not involve his own team.
Protecting the Integrity of the Game
The Columbus Crew also released a statement supporting the league’s decision and reaffirming the club’s commitment to fairness and integrity.
Officials across MLS say the league will continue strengthening education programs for players about gambling risks and monitoring betting activity closely.
With sports betting expanding across North America, leagues are increasingly focused on protecting competition and ensuring fans can trust the results on the field.