Two former MLS players had that status made permanent this week when they were suspended for life by the league for violating the MLS gambling policy following an investigation into their wagering on games.
Both Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah were found to have
wagered on a significant number
of MLS games during the 2024 and 2025 seasons while they were members of the Columbus Crew. Jones also played for Los Angeles FC during the 2025 season.
Both players even made bets on games in which they were playing. In particular, each of the players made a wager on Jones getting a yellow card during an October 19, 2024, match. Jones was, in fact, issued a yellow card during that game.
The two players were placed on leave after MLS officials were informed of suspicious betting activity by league integrity partners. Upon being notified of the suspicious betting alerts, MLS retained the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to conduct an investigation.
The ensuing investigation determined that not only were the players placing bets on games, but they were also sharing confidential insider information with other bettors. There was no evidence unearthed indicating that the bets made by either player had an impact on the outcome of any of the games.
In announcing the suspensions, MLS Commissioner Don Garber also called upon online sportsbooks in the US legal and regulated market to prohibit certain types of prop bets being placed on matches.
“Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity,” Garber said in a statement. “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.”
The Crew also stated support of the league’s decision to suspend the players, admonishing the actions of the players involved.
“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,” read the statement.
It’s not the first time an MLS player has been banned for gambling on games
Yeboah and Jones are not the first MLS players to be caught up in a gambling scandal. In 2021, an investigation found that Felix Hernandez of Sporting Kansas City had committed multiple violations of the league’s gambling policy.
He was also suspended and his contract was terminated in 2024. Hernandez has been eligible for reinstatement since January 1, 2026, but no MLS team has signed him. Hernandez played last season with the Des Moines Menace of USL League Two.
Both Columbus and LAFC terminated the contracts of Yeboah and Jones during the offseason. Oddly enough, Jones then signed with Chinese Super League club Qingdao.
The club was among nine in the league that started this season with a points deduction that was the result of an investigation into match-fixing, bribery, and corruption.
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