MLS players handed lifetime bans for betting offenses

MLS has hit two players with lifetimes bans for violating the league’s gambling rules, alleging that Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah coordinated to influence games that they were playing in. Both players were mainstays in the league as recently as 2025, making it one of the most high-profile gambling scandals in US soccer history.

An MLS statement on Monday confirmed: “After reviewing the results of the investigation, MLS concluded that the players engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including on their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. In one instance, both players bet on Jones to draw a yellow card during an October 19, 2024 match, which he received."

Concern was first raised when suspicious betting patterns were identified by league partners. MLS enlisted a law firm to conduct an investigation and both Jones and Yeboah were placed on administrative league in October 2025.

Who are the MLS players accused of gambling?

Although not the most famous names in MLS, both Yeboah and Jones are well-known players who have had extensive careers in the top level of US soccer.

Yeboah began his career in MLS in 2022 with the Columbus Crew, playing a prominent role in the team that clinched a championship in 2023. Yeboah scored in the 3-1 MLS Cup victory that crowned Columbus champions and he went on to sign with LAFC in 2025. In February 2026, Yeboah joined Chinese Super League club Qingdao Hainiu.

For Jones, life in MLS began in 2016 with the Philadelphia Union and he went on to represent Nashville SC, Houston Dynamo and Charlotte FC, before joining Yeboah at Columbus Crew in 2024. Jones played alongside Yeboah in the Crew team that lifted Leagues Cup in 2024 and finished runner-up in the illustrious CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The league investigation found that Yeboah and Jones likely shared information and coordinated to place bets on games during the 2024 and 2025 season. Neither player is under contract in MLS after being placed on administrative leave last year.

“Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Monday. “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.”

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