Major League Soccer has issued permanent bans to two players after an investigation found they placed wagers on matches involving their own teams, including games in which they played.
Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah were both banned for life after the league determined they violated strict prohibitions on insider betting. The findings stemmed from an investigation conducted by Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP into suspicious wagering activity during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Investigation Found Bets on Matches They Played In
Investigators concluded the players placed numerous wagers on MLS matches, including at least one bet involving a yellow card issued to Jones during an October 2024 match between the Columbus Crew and the New York Red Bulls. The league said there is no evidence the betting activity altered match outcomes but called the violations severe.
The probe also suggested the players shared confidential information with outside bettors.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber said the league views integrity as “paramount” and will continue strengthening its policies and education programs. He also reiterated the league’s support for eliminating yellow‑card‑related betting markets nationwide.
Soccer Remains High‑Risk for Betting Manipulation
The bans come as concerns about match manipulation continue to draw global attention. Sportradar’s Integrity in Action 2025 report identified soccer as the sport most affected by suspicious betting activity, with 618 questionable matches flagged out of 1,116 across all sports.
In the United States, integrity worries have fueled renewed calls in Louisiana and other states to restrict or ban micro‑bets and certain prop wagers.
