yaw yeboah and Derrick Jones have been banned for life from playing in Major League Soccer after an investigation found they placed extensive bets, including on matches involving their own teams. Major League Soccer announced the lifetime bans following a review of gambling activity across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The league identified an instance on 19 October 2024 (ET) when both players bet on Jones receiving a yellow card in a match between Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls, which he subsequently received.
Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones banned for life
Major League Soccer determined that both players “engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including on their own teams, ” and that their betting activities covered the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The league found that the players likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intent to draw yellow cards. Investigators noted the specific occurrence on 19 October 2024 (ET) when both players placed bets on Jones drawing a yellow card in the Columbus Crew fixture against New York Red Bulls; the booking then occurred.
The league’s review ran through late 2025 and the players were placed on administrative leave in late October 2025 (ET) while the investigation continued. MLS also stated that the investigation did not identify evidence that any of the betting affected the outcome of a match.
League response and official quotes
MLS released a statement describing the scale of the gambling activity and the league’s findings, noting there was “no evidence” that match results were changed. MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized the league’s posture on integrity: “Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity. 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. “
Background in brief
Jones and Yeboah were team-mates at Columbus Crew during the 2024 season. Yeboah signed for Chinese Super League side Qingdao Hainiu last month after his contract with Los Angeles FC was terminated in January; Jones had been released from his contract by Columbus Crew last November.
What happens next
The bans bar Derrick Jones and yaw yeboah from MLS competition as the league moves to tighten policies and education around wagering, particularly yellow-card markets. With MLS signaling continued enforcement and outreach, attention will turn to how the league implements further safeguards and what disciplinary or legal steps may follow for those involved. Teams, regulators and bettors will watch for additional announcements tied to the league’s integrity measures and any implications for the players’ careers going forward.
