Former Crew players Yaw Yeboah, Derrick Jones given lifetime MLS bans for sports gambling Former Columbus Crew players Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah have been banned for life from Major League Soccer (MLS) for engaging in sports betting, the league announced. The decision followed an investigation that found both players had placed "extensive" bets on soccer matches, including wagers on their own teams, during 2024 and 2025. The players were placed on administrative leave by MLS in October for potential rule violations, though the specifics of the allegations were not disclosed at the time. The league stated that one of the key incidents involved Jones and Yeboah betting on Jones receiving a yellow card during the Crew’s game against the New York Red Bulls on October 19, 2024. Jones was indeed shown a yellow card in the 34th minute for a foul on Daniel Edelman of New York. The investigation revealed that the players had placed multiple bets on games, including matches involving their own club, which violates MLS policies on sports gambling. A statement from the Columbus Crew emphasized its commitment to upholding integrity and respect in the sport. The club condemned the actions of the players, calling them a violation of the values that define the organization and the league. "We fully condemn all actions and notions that aren’t aligned with these critical values," the statement said. The Crew also noted that they had cooperated fully with the league’s investigation but deferred all comments on the findings and disciplinary actions to MLS. Jones, who played for the Crew from 2022 to 2024, became a free agent after his contract expired and later joined Los Angeles FC. During the 2023 MLS Cup final, Yeboah scored the decisive goal in the 37th minute of the Crew’s 2-1 victory over LAFC.#major_league_soccer #derrick_jones #yaw_yeboah #columbus_crew #los_angeles_fc
Major League Soccer bans two former players for 'extensive gambling' on matches Major League Soccer has indefinitely suspended former players Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah for engaging in widespread gambling on matches, the league announced Monday. The decision follows an investigation that revealed the players bet on their own games during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including placing wagers on specific outcomes such as Jones receiving a yellow card during an October 2024 match. The league confirmed that Jones, 29, and Yeboah, 28, were placed on administrative leave in October 2025 after receiving suspicious betting alerts from partners. Jones, who last played for the Columbus Crew in 2024 and 2025, appeared in 23 games during that period. Yeboah, a former Crew teammate, joined Los Angeles FC in 2025. The investigation found that the pair likely shared insider information with other bettors, further violating league policies. MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized the league’s commitment to maintaining match integrity, stating that it will continue enforcing its betting rules and advocating for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states. The Crew issued a statement condemning the players’ actions, noting their strict adherence to MLS policies on sports gambling. The club confirmed full cooperation with the league’s investigation. This marks another instance of MLS taking disciplinary action against players for gambling violations, following the suspension of Sporting Kansas City’s Felipe Hernandez in 2021 and his subsequent contract termination in 2024 for repeated policy breaches. Gambling, particularly prop bets, has become a growing concern for North American sports leagues amid the legalization of sports betting.#major_league_soccer #derrick_jones #yaw_yeboah #don_garber #columbus_crew
