Major League Soccer recently imposed a lifetime ban on former players Derek Jones and Yew Yeboah, finding that both had severely violated the league's gambling policy during the 2024 to 2025 seasons. The investigation revealed that the two players had repeatedly bet on soccer matches, including those involving their own team, with one instance even betting on Jones receiving a yellow card—which he indeed did. Simply put, the players bet on themselves to receive a card, and it actually happened.
Investigation details: Suspicious betting triggered an alert, and the two exchanged insider information
After receiving alerts of suspicious betting from monitoring partners, the league initiated an investigation and suspended the two players in October 2025. The investigation confirmed that during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, they heavily bet on soccer matches, including those involving their own team. A specific case was on October 19, 2024, where both bet that Jones would receive a yellow card, and he indeed did in that match. The investigation also found that it was likely the two exchanged information about these bets. However, the league stated that there was no evidence that these bets affected the outcome of the matches.
Player background: Both had left the team after the incident, with former teams cooperating in the investigation
Jones and Yeboah were teammates at Columbus Crew during the 2024 season. Yeboah moved to Los Angeles FC in 2025, while Jones played 23 times for the team during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Both were not under contract with MLS clubs when banned—Jones was released by Columbus Crew in November last year, and Yeboah left earlier this year to join Qingdao Huanghai in the Chinese Super League. Columbus Crew issued a statement condemning the players' actions and confirmed full cooperation with the league throughout the investigation.
League stance: Strictly enforcing regulations, calling for a ban on yellow card betting
MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized that the league steadfastly upholds the integrity of the matches and will continue to enforce policies, enhance education, and advocate for a ban on yellow card betting in all states to protect the games, players, and fans. This is the latest in a series of gambling-related penalties by MLS in recent years. In 2021, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernandez was banned for betting on two non-team MLS games, and his contract was terminated in 2024. In other leagues, the NBA and MLB have also imposed lifetime bans on players involved in gambling, including former Raptors player Jontay Porter, who was convicted of federal fraud for leaking insider information. Interested in the latest updates on global sports integrity? PASA's official website keeps you informed.
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