MLS enforces life bans after two players bet on matches, including their own teams
MLS banned Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah for life after an investigation found they gambled on soccer, including games involving their own teams (Jones and Columbus Crew; Yeboah and LAFC/Columbus), during the 2024–25 seasons. In one case, both bet on Jones to receive a yellow card in Oct. 2024, with allegations of sharing confidential information with bettors. MLS says there’s no evidence their bets affected match outcomes and continues its integrity program; Jones has since been released/recorded as part of the ban, while Yeboah has moved to Qingdao Hainiu in China. The league notes prior related actions and ongoing education on gambling rules.
