MLS bans ex players for betting violations

"Investigators determined that Jones and Yeboah were involved in extensive gambling activity tied to soccer, including wagers connected to matches involving their own teams. The review also found the players placed bets on specific events that could occur during games."

"The investigation also uncovered signs that the players may have shared confidential information with other bettors. That included discussions about plans to draw yellow cards in matches. Even so, the league said investigators did not find evidence that any of the betting activity altered the final outcome of a game."

"The case began when betting integrity monitors flagged unusual wagering tied to soccer matches. After receiving those alerts, MLS hired the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to carry out an independent review. During the investigation, both players were placed on administrative leave."

Major League Soccer issued lifetime suspensions to Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah for violating gambling policies during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Betting integrity monitors detected unusual wagering patterns, prompting MLS to hire an independent law firm to investigate. The investigation revealed both players engaged in extensive gambling on soccer matches, including bets on their own teams and specific in-game events. Investigators found evidence the players wagered on Jones receiving a yellow card in an October 2024 match, which occurred. The review also discovered the players may have shared confidential information with other bettors regarding match strategies. Although the investigation uncovered no evidence that gambling activity affected game outcomes, the violations warranted permanent bans.

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