Major League Soccer announced on Monday, March 9, 2026, that it has issued lifetime suspensions to Derrick Jones and Yeboah, neither of whom is currently under contract with an MLS club, for violating the MLS Gambling Policy.
After receiving suspicious betting alerts through integrity partners, MLS retained the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to conduct an investigation, and the players were placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the review.
In a strongly worded statement, MLS Commissioner Don Garber made clear the league's position on the matter. "Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity," Garber said.
"The League will continue to enforce its policies, enhance education efforts, and advocate for the elimination of yellow card wagering in all states to protect the integrity of our competition for clubs, players, and fans."
What happened
After reviewing the results of the investigation, MLS concluded that the players engaged in extensive gambling, including on their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
The most striking specific incident came ahead of a regular-season fixture. Prior to an October 19, 2024, clash with the New York Red Bulls, both players bet on Jones to receive a yellow card, and Jones drew a yellow card during the match.
The investigation went further still. MLS also determined that Jones and Yeboah likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intent to get yellow cards. There was no evidence to suggest the bets affected the outcome of the match.
Columbus Crew released a statement condemning the behaviour in the strongest terms: "The Columbus Crew are proud of the reputation we've established in MLS and global soccer that's rooted in respect and integrity throughout our organisation. We fully condemn all actions and notions that aren't aligned with these critical values for our Club and any individual's activity contradicting the principles of fair competition that are pivotal to our team, league and sport.
The club also confirmed its cooperation with the investigation. "The Crew, who strictly adhere to all MLS policies on educating and enforcing sports gambling regulations with team personnel, fully cooperated with the league since first learning about the inquiry regarding the players in question."
Yeboah's time in MLS and his legacy at Columbus Crew
The lifetime ban makes for a deeply bittersweet chapter in what had been a celebrated MLS career for the 28-year-old Ghanaian winger.
Yaw Yeboah, born March 28, 1997, in Accra, Ghana, is known for his speed and skilful dribbling. These are qualities that made him a fan favourite in Columbus from the moment he arrived.
Yeboah made his MLS and Columbus debut against Vancouver on February 26, 2022, registering his first assist in his first match. His first season was solid if unspectacular, but his second campaign was a different story altogether.
In 2023, he made 31 appearances for the Crew, starting in 22 matches and getting three goals alongside five assists. He was a key component of a Crew side that surged through the post-season, and it was in the most important moment of all that he made his mark on the club's history.
Yeboah scored the game-winning goal following a Malte Amundsen line-splitting pass to cap off an 11-pass sequence in the MLS Cup championship match against LAFC on December 12, 2023. The Crew won 2-1, and Yeboah's goal was the decisive moment.
Columbus also won the Leagues Cup in 2024, with Yeboah part of that title-winning squad.
Move to LAFC and administrative leave
On January 24, 2025, Yeboah was signed by Los Angeles FC on a two-year deal, with LAFC acquiring his MLS rights from San Diego FC in exchange for $50,000 in General Allocation Money.
His time on the West Coast was short-lived. On October 25, 2025, Major League Soccer placed him and Columbus Crew midfielder Jones on administrative leave pending a league review of potential violations of MLS league rules, prohibiting both players from participating in team activities and competition.
On January 17, 2026, Yeboah and LAFC mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
The lifetime ban was formally announced on Monday, bringing the investigation to its conclusion and ending Yeboah's career in North American soccer entirely.
What happens next
Despite the ban from MLS, Yeboah has continued his playing career elsewhere. On February 28, 2026, he signed with Chinese Super League club Qingdao Hainiu.
He has already been active in China's top flight, recording one goal in the 2026 Super League season so far.
The scandal echoes similar cases across North American sport. In the NBA, former Toronto Raptors centre Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban in 2024 for violating the league's betting rules, and MLS itself has disciplined players for gambling before.
MLS suspended Sporting Kansas City's Felipe Hernandez in 2021 and then terminated his contract in 2024 for multiple violations of the league's betting policy
