Major League Soccer has handed Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah lifetime bans for extensive gambling, including betting on matches involving their own teams. The league revealed the punishments on Monday after a detailed investigation uncovered violations spanning the 2024 and 2025 seasons. MLS said it received “suspicious betting alerts” and retained a law firm to investigate the matter. Both players were placed on administrative leave in late October 2025 while the review ran its course. The investigation found that Jones and Yeboah betted extensively on soccer, including games in which they participated. In one notable instance, both players wagered that Jones would receive a yellow card during an October 19, 2024 match—a bet that was successful. Jones, 28, and Yeboah, 28, were teammates for one season with the Columbus Crew in 2024. Jones remained with the Crew in 2025, while Yeboah moved to Los Angeles FC, where he made 17 appearances. He mutually terminated his contract with LAFC in January and currently plays in China. Jones was born in Ghana and moved to the United States as a teenager. He developed through the Philadelphia Union youth system and later played for Nashville SC, Houston Dynamo, Charlotte FC, and Columbus. Over his career, Jones has made 131 league appearances, earning recognition as a solid midfielder in MLS. Yaw Yeboah also hails from Ghana, graduating from the Right to Dream academy in Accra. He joined Manchester City in 2014 and spent time on loan with multiple clubs before signing with Wisła Kraków. Yeboah transferred to Columbus Crew ahead of the 2022 season, where he became a top left wing-back and helped the team secure the MLS Cup in 2023. MLS emphasized that betting on matches involving one’s own team violates league rules and threatens the integrity of the sport. “The league will not tolerate actions that undermine fair play or compromise the trust of fans, players, and clubs,” a statement read. This is not the first time MLS has imposed serious sanctions for gambling violations. In 2021, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Felipe Hernàndez was suspended for betting on games. After violating league policies a second time, MLS terminated his contract in 2024. The lifetime bans serve as a warning to current and future players that gambling on matches is taken seriously. MLS said the decisions were made after careful consideration of the evidence and the potential impact on the league’s reputation. Jones and Yeboah’s betting activities reportedly included a variety of match outcomes, with wagers placed not only on carding and goal totals but also on general game results. The league’s review highlighted that such practices, especially betting on one’s own performance or team, pose a direct threat to competitive integrity. In addition to lifetime bans, both players will be barred from participating in any MLS-related activities, including coaching or administrative roles. MLS said that it will continue monitoring betting patterns closely and work with legal and law enforcement agencies to identify and address any future violations. The investigation has drawn attention from fans and the media, highlighting ongoing concerns about gambling in professional sports. Analysts note that as betting becomes more accessible, leagues face increasing pressure to enforce strict policies to protect the sport’s credibility. MLS officials said that education and compliance programs will be reinforced to ensure players fully understand the consequences of gambling violations. “Integrity on the field is non-negotiable,” the statement added, reinforcing the league’s commitment to fair competition and transparency. Jones and Yeboah now face the end of their MLS careers, with the league making clear that no exceptions will be made. The bans also underscore MLS’s strict stance on gambling, aiming to maintain trust with fans and safeguard the sport’s reputation.