Date: March 11, 2026
Category: Sports Integrity & Regulation
Summary:
Major League Soccer (MLS) has handed down lifetime bans to midfielder Derrick Jones and winger Yaw Yeboah following an investigation into violations of the league’s gambling policy. The probe, concluded this week, revealed that both players engaged in extensive betting on soccer matches during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including wagering on games involving their own teams. In a particularly egregious incident, both players placed bets on Jones receiving a yellow card during a match against the New York Red Bulls on October 19, 2024—a bet that ultimately paid out. The league also determined that the players likely shared confidential information about their intent to draw cards with other bettors. While the betting activities did not appear to affect match outcomes, MLS Commissioner Don Garber emphasized that such actions compromise the integrity of the sport and will not be tolerated. Yeboah, who recently signed with Chinese Super League side Qingdao Hainiu, is now permanently barred from MLS-affiliated activities .
Key Quote:
“MLS will remain steadfast in maintaining the integrity of our game. Our fans, partners, and players deserve nothing less.” — Don Garber, MLS Commissioner
