Major League Soccer Enforces Lifetime Bans for Players Involved in Gambling Scandal

Major League Soccer has taken a hard stance against gambling violations, imposing lifetime bans on two players, Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah, for wagering on soccer games, including their own matches. The decision came after an investigation revealed infractions during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The league identified a specific instance where the players placed a bet on Jones receiving a yellow card in a 2024 match—a bet that Kones did win. Both players were associated with the Columbus Crew at the time.

MLS has underscored its dedication to maintaining match integrity. Commissioner Don Garber, in a statement, noted the league's efforts to prevent wagering on such activities and preserve the integrity of their competition. Simultaneously, the Columbus Crew, formerly home to both Jones and Yeboah, expressed their condemnation of actions compromising fair play.