MLS Drops the Hammer: Two Ex-Players Receive Lifetime Bans for Gambling Violations
Major League Soccer has handed down permanent suspensions to ex-Columbus Crew players Derrick Jones, 29, and Yaw Yeboah, 28, due to gambling violations, the league revealed on Monday.
Both players are currently without MLS contracts, as Jones had his contract option rejected following the previous season while Yeboah is playing abroad in China's top division.
The league's investigation, initiated five months prior, determined that these Ghanaian national team players participated in "widespread betting activities" throughout the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. They placed wagers on their own clubs and personal statistics, including a bet on Jones receiving a yellow card during an October 2024 fixture against the New York Red Bulls, which occurred as predicted.
The duo also potentially disclosed inside information regarding the yellow card wager to additional gamblers.
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Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah have been handed permanent bans from MLS for match betting, with one discovered incident occurring during a New York game.
Both players wagered on Jones receiving a booking in that contest. Here's the moment he was shown the yellow card: pic.twitter.com/phe60O3CY8
"Major League Soccer maintains unwavering dedication to competitive integrity," stated MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "The organization will persist in implementing its regulations, strengthening educational initiatives, and pushing for the removal of yellow card betting across all jurisdictions to safeguard our competition's credibility for teams, athletes, and supporters."
A Columbus Crew representative stated: "The Columbus Crew takes pride in our established reputation within MLS and international soccer, built upon respect and integrity across our entire organization. We completely denounce any actions or concepts that conflict with these essential values for our Club and any individual behavior that contradicts the fair play principles fundamental to our team, league and sport."
MLS was alerted to questionable betting patterns in October and immediately suspended both players administratively while conducting their review through external legal counsel. Jones remained with the Crew during this period, while Yeboah was contracted to LAFC.
"The Crew – who rigorously follow all MLS protocols regarding education and enforcement of sports betting rules for team staff – provided complete cooperation with the league from the moment we learned of the investigation concerning these players," Columbus stated. "Due to the sensitive nature of this inquiry, the Club directs all commentary regarding findings and penalties to the league."