Major League Soccer announced on Monday that players Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones received lifetime suspensions for breaching the league’s gambling policy. The decision follows an extensive investigation conducted by law firm Patterson Bellnap Webb & Tyler LLP, retained after MLS received alerts about suspicious betting activity through its integrity partners.
Investigators found that both Yeboah and Jones participated in significant gambling on soccer matches, including wagers involving their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Details of the Investigation and Findings
The league stated there was no evidence to indicate that any matches’ outcomes were directly influenced by these betting actions. However, MLS determined that Yeboah and Jones likely shared insider information with other bettors, including intentions to receive yellow cards during games.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized the league’s commitment to maintaining competition integrity by stating,
“Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity.”
He further added,
“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.”
Connection Between Players and Specific Betting Incidents
Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones, who were teammates at the Columbus Crew before Yeboah’s 2025 transfer to Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), were involved in a betting episode late in the 2024 season. During a Crew match, the two placed bets on Jones drawing a yellow card, which he subsequently received.
About a year after this incident, MLS placed both players on administrative leave, barring them from team activities as the investigation proceeded.
Yaw Yeboah’s Career and Response from LAFC
Yaw Yeboah, a 28-year-old midfielder from Ghana, signed with LAFC on a two-year contract that included a club option for an additional year. His guaranteed compensation totaled $550,000, with his MLS record including one goal and one assist in 17 appearances. Beyond MLS play, Yeboah featured in FIFA Club World Cup matches and Leagues Cup starts.
Yeboah’s MLS tenure began in 2022 with Columbus, where he tallied five goals and nine assists over four seasons. He was an MLS Cup champion in 2023 after Columbus defeated LAFC 2-1 and also won the 2024 Leagues Cup. LAFC and Yeboah agreed to terminate his contract in mid-January following the league’s action.
LAFC issued a statement affirming,
“Los Angeles Football Club fully supports Major League Soccer’s decision regarding former LAFC player Yaw Yeboah.”
The club confirmed that it cooperated fully with the investigation and remains dedicated to upholding MLS standards and the integrity of the sport.
Most recently, on February 28, Yeboah signed with Qingdao Hainiu of the Chinese Super League, where he scored and started in his debut match.
Derrick Jones’ MLS Journey and Current Status
Derrick Jones, also from Ghana, began his MLS career in 2017, initially playing for Philadelphia. He subsequently had stints with Nashville and Charlotte before joining Columbus in 2024. The 29-year-old remains unsigned after the Crew declined his contract option at the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Implications for MLS and Efforts to Safeguard Integrity
This high-profile enforcement action highlights MLS’s vigilant approach to protecting its competitions from gambling-related misconduct. By issuing lifetime bans to Yeboah and Jones, the league sends a strong message about adherence to its rules and ethical standards. The commitment to education and policy enforcement aims to deter future incidents and preserve fairness for players, teams, and supporters alike.
As gambling regulations evolve across various states, the league’s call to eliminate yellow card wagering points to a broader effort to combat betting practices that could undermine match integrity. Moving forward, MLS will likely intensify its monitoring and collaboration with integrity partners to prevent similar scenarios and maintain trust in the sport.
