Major League Soccer (MLS) is the latest North American professional sports league to hand down a lifetime ban for violations related to gambling.
MLS veterans Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah received lifetime bans on Monday after an investigation found the two players violated the league’s gambling policy.
MLS players violated gambling policy as teammates
The probe found that the two players violated the league’s gambling policy while teammates for the Columbus Crew. The violations took place during the 2024 season when they both played for the Crew, and also in 2025 when Yeboah played for another MLS club.
MLS discovered that during a match in October 2024, both Jones and Yeboah wagered on Jones to receive a yellow card. Jones drew a yellow card in that game. Yeboah and Jones may also have shared insider information about the wager with others.
“Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “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.”
MLS did not find that the wagering by Jones and Yeboah impacted the outcome of matches.
What’s next for Jones and Yeboah?
Jones and Yeboah were not on MLS rosters before the league levied a pair of lifetime bans.
The two players were placed on administrative leave during MLS’s review of the matter.
Yeboah was released by his last MLS club, Los Angeles FC, in January amid the league’s investigation. The 28-year-old is continuing his career with Chinese Super League club Qingdao Hainiu F.C., signing a deal with the team last month.
Meanwhile, Jones had his team option declined by the Crew in November. The 29-year-old remains unsigned with a professional soccer club as of March 9.
Previous MLS gambling violations
MLS has experience in dealing with gambling-related violations by players.
In 2024, the league terminated the contract of Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez. The 27-year-old midfielder had his contract terminated after being placed on administrative leave by the MLS, which made him ineligible to join another club until 2026.
Hernandez was previously reprimanded by MLS in 2021 for gambling violations. He was suspended by MLS for betting on two league matches. The matches did not involve Sporting Kansas City and there was no indication of the use of insider information.
The player self-reported the gambling violations to SKC and notified MLS that he had undergone treatment for gambling addiction. His gambling activity in 2021 led to a temporary suspension that caused him to miss the final six matches of the season.
Hernandez remains unsigned despite being unable to sign with a club after Jan. 1, following the termination of his contract by MLS two years ago.
Other US sports leagues tackle gambling issues
The NCAA, MLB and the NBA have also dealt with gambling woes.
In 2024, MLB handed San Diego Padres utility player Tucupita Marcano a lifetime ban for violating the league’s betting rules and policies. Marcano wagered on MLB markets through a licensed sportsbook and on international baseball games, violating league policy. Meanwhile, last year’s investigation into Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase uncovered a pitch-rigging scheme which led to MLB suspensions and federal criminal charges for the teammates.
The NBA banned then-Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter for life after he provided insider information about NBA games to a group of co-conspirators. Porter pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in a federal court and awaits sentencing.
Betting scandals have hit college sports as well as the major leagues. The NCAA has recently deemed a group of college basketball players ineligible at several institutions for betting-related game manipulation and providing information to bettors. College basketball players have also been implicated in an alleged point-shaving scheme.
