Lifetime Bans for MLS Players Caught Gambling on Their Own Games
Two MLS players, Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah, have been given lifetime bans for extensive gambling on soccer games, including bets on their own teams and a wager that Jones would receive a yellow card.
Major League Soccer has announced lifetime bans for two players, Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah, after an investigation revealed they had been gambling extensively on soccer games, including bets on their own teams.
The investigation was launched after suspicious betting alerts were received by the league. A law firm was brought in to conduct a thorough review, and the findings were damning. Both players were found to have placed bets on soccer matches throughout the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including wagers on their own teams.
In one particularly egregious incident, the pair won a bet that Jones would receive a yellow card during a match. This clear conflict of interest and disregard for the integrity of the game has resulted in the harshest possible punishment - a lifetime ban from Major League Soccer.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}The news has sent shockwaves through the league, as gambling and match-fixing are among the biggest threats facing professional sports today. MLS has taken a strong stance, demonstrating that it will not tolerate such unethical behavior from its players.
Both Jones and Yeboah had overlapping seasons playing for the Columbus Crew, but the investigation found that their gambling activities were not limited to just that team. The league's decision to issue lifetime bans sends a clear message that the integrity of the game is of the utmost importance.
{{IMAGE_PLACEHOLDER}}This incident serves as a cautionary tale for all professional athletes, reminding them of the severe consequences that can result from engaging in prohibited gambling activities. The reputation and credibility of the league are at stake, and MLS has demonstrated that it will take decisive action to protect the sport and its fans.
Source: The Guardian
