Major League Soccer (MLS) has imposed lifetime bans on midfielder Derrick Jones and winger Yaw Yeboah due to betting offences. The players were found guilty of engaging in extensive gambling activities, including betting on their own teams during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Yeboah, aged 28, recently signed with Chinese Super League club Qingdao Hainiu after his contract with Los Angeles FC was terminated in January. His career includes a stint at Manchester City from 2014 to 2018 where he did not make a first-team appearance but had loan spells at Lille, Twente, and Oviedo. He later played for Spanish side Numancia and Polish team Wisła Krakow before joining Columbus Crew and LAFC.
Jones, who is now 29 years old, was released from his contract by Columbus Crew last November. Born in Ghana but having spent his entire career in the United States, Jones has played for Philadelphia Union, Nashville SC, Houston Dynamo, Charlotte FC as well as Columbus Crew. He represented the USA at under-20 and under-23 levels.
Betting scandal details
According to an official statement from MLS: "The players were found to have engaged in extensive gambling on soccer." This included placing bets on their own teams during the course of two seasons - specifically those of 2024 and 2025.
Major League Soccer released statement:
"MLS also determined that the players likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intent to draw yellow cards," added the statement from the league.
"No evidence was identified that suggested any of these betting activities affected the outcome of a match."
In one notable instance highlighted by MLS authorities both players placed bets predicting that Jones would receive a yellow card during Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls held on October 19th ,2024 - which indeed happened as predicted. It's worth noting that both Yeboah & Jones were teammates playing for Columbus Crew during the controversial season of 2024 when this particular incident took place.
This scandal serves as a stark reminder of the strict regulations against betting in professional sports, particularly when it involves players betting on their own teams. The lifetime bans imposed on Yeboah and Jones by MLS are a testament to the league's commitment to maintaining integrity and fairness in the sport.
The incident also underscores the importance of continuous education for athletes about the potential risks and consequences associated with gambling activities. It is crucial that all stakeholders in sports - from players to management - understand and adhere to rules regarding betting, ensuring that sporting events remain fair, competitive, and free from corruption.
