Major League Soccer has handed lifetime bans to midfielder Derrick Jones and Ghanaian winger Yaw Yeboah after the pair were found guilty of violating the league’s gambling policy.
According to the league, investigations revealed that both players engaged in extensive betting on football matches during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including games involving their own teams.
MLS said the investigation also uncovered that the two players placed bets on Jones to receive a yellow card in a match between Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls on October 19, 2024. The incident later occurred during the game, raising concerns over the integrity of the betting activity.
The league further indicated that the players likely shared confidential information with other bettors regarding their intention to draw yellow cards during matches. However, investigators said there was no evidence that the betting activities influenced the final outcome of any game.
Jones, who previously played for clubs including Philadelphia Union and Nashville SC, was released by Columbus Crew in November last year.
Meanwhile, Yeboah, a former Ghana international who previously had spells with clubs such as Manchester City and Lille OSC earlier in his career, had his contract with Los Angeles FC terminated in January.
The 28-year-old winger has since continued his career outside the United States after joining Chinese Super League side Qingdao Hainiu.
