Major League Soccer has issued lifetime bans to Ghanaian winger Yaw Yeboah and midfielder Derrick Jones after an investigation revealed that both players violated the league’s strict gambling rules. The decision follows months of scrutiny into suspicious betting activities linked to the two footballers during the 2024 and 2025 MLS seasons.
The league confirmed that the players were found to have engaged in extensive gambling activities, including betting on matches within the MLS competition. According to investigators, some of the bets involved games played by their own teams, a serious breach of league regulations designed to protect the integrity of professional football.
One of the most concerning incidents reportedly occurred before a match between Columbus Crew and the New York Red Bulls in October 2024. Investigators found that the two players placed wagers predicting that Derrick Jones would receive a yellow card during the match. The incident later occurred during the game, raising serious concerns about the influence of betting on player conduct.
Further findings from the investigation suggested that the players may have shared confidential information with external bettors regarding their plans to receive bookings in certain matches. Although the investigation did not find evidence that the final outcomes of games were manipulated, league authorities concluded that the actions of the players still posed a significant threat to the credibility of the competition.
Following the discovery of the betting activities, both players were initially placed on administrative leave in October 2025 while the investigation was conducted. After reviewing the evidence and findings, Major League Soccer ultimately decided to impose lifetime suspensions on the players from participating in the league.
Yaw Yeboah, who once represented Ghana at international level, built a notable career in Major League Soccer and was part of the Columbus Crew squad that won the MLS Cup in 2023. His decisive goal in the final played a major role in securing the title for the club, making him a fan favourite during his time with the team.
Despite the lifetime ban from MLS, Yeboah’s professional career has not completely ended. The winger recently joined Chinese Super League club Qingdao Hainiu, where he has continued his playing career outside the North American league system.
League officials have emphasised that the punishment sends a strong message about the importance of integrity in professional football. The league reiterated its commitment to enforcing strict gambling policies and maintaining transparency in order to protect the credibility of the sport and the trust of fans.
