Major League Soccer (MLS) has handed out lifetime suspensions to two players for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones, who both played for Colombus Crew in 2024, were sanctioned for violations relating to bets placed on the team’s matches in 2024 and 2025.
After receiving suspicious betting alerts from an integrity partner, MLS placed both players on administrative leave and launched an investigation.
The subsequent review revealed both players “engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including on their own teams” during the seasons in question.
One example found both players had bet on Jones to receive a yellow card during a Colombus Crew’s game away at New York Red Bulls in October 2024.
Jones received a yellow card in the 35th minute, while Yeboah remained an unused substitute during the game. Colombus Crew won 3-2.
MLS’ investigation also determined both players “likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intent to draw yellow cards”.
Jones received two other yellow cards in the 2024 MLS season. One came in the third minute of a match against Philadelphia Union on 29 August, while he was booked in the 85th minute against Toronto FC on 19 September.
Yeboah was booked twice during the MLS season, once in the 77th minute away to CF Montréal on 16 May and in the same minute at home to Orlando City on 22 September.
Yeboah received a yellow card in the 29th minute of a CONCAF Champions Cup game at home to Houston Dynamo on 12 March.
The league also noted that no evidence was identified which suggested any of these betting activities affected the outcome of a match.
MLS commissioner Don Garber said: “Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity.
“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.”
A Colombus Crew spokesperson added: “The Columbus Crew are proud of the reputation we’ve established in MLS and global soccer that’s rooted in respect and integrity throughout our organisation.
“We fully condemn all actions and notions that aren’t aligned with these critical values for our club and any individual’s activity contradicting the principles of fair competition that are pivotal to our team, league and sport.
“The Crew – who strictly adhere to all MLS policies on educating and enforcing sports gambling regulations with team personnel – fully cooperated with the league since first learning about the inquiry regarding the players in question.
“Given the nature of the investigation, the club defers all comment on its results and discipline to the league.”
Jones has been without a club since the start of 2026 after leaving the Ohio-based team, while Yeboah currently plays for Chinese Super League outfit Qingdao Hainiu.
Yeboah moved from Colombus Crew to fellow MLS franchise LAFC in January 2025, before joining the Chinese side in February of this year.
The suspensions mark the latest instance of betting violations in US sports.
In April 2024, the NBA suspended Toronto Raptors star Jontay Porter for violating the league’s betting rules.
The 24-year-old would later go on to plead guilty to committing wire fraud following a federal investigation.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billips were also arrested for their roles in separate illegal gambling cases.
In the Premier League, former West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá was found not guility of allegations of spot fixing following a lengthy investigation by the Football Association.
The post MLS hands lifetime suspensions to two players over gambling violations first appeared on EGR Intel.
Former Columbus Crew duo Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones sanctioned by the league for “extensive gambling on soccer” in 2024 and 2025, with MLS restating call for a ban on yellow card wagering
The post MLS hands lifetime suspensions to two players over gambling violations first appeared on EGR Intel.