They had the job that thousands dream of, and they risked it all. Major League Soccer imposed lifetime suspensions on midfielder Derrick Jones and winger Yaw Yeboah for violating its sports betting policy.
According to a report by ESPN, after receiving alerts about suspicious bets through its integrity partners, the league hired a law firm to investigate and, in October 2025, placed both players on administrative suspension. Based on information from the league, it was concluded that they engaged in extensive soccer betting, including on their own teams’ matches, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
According to a Reuters report, in one instance, both bet that Jones would receive a yellow card during the Crew’s 3-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on October 19, 2024—which occurred in the 35th minute. As reported by Field Level Media, the league determined that they likely shared confidential information with other bettors regarding their intention to provoke cautions.
Based on information from the MLS itself, no evidence was found that the activity affected the outcome of the matches, but the violation of the rules was clear-cut.
According to a Reuters report, Jones, 29, played in 23 matches for the Columbus Crew in 2024 and 2025, while Yeboah, 28, a Ghana international, was his teammate before joining Los Angeles FC in January 2025. As reported by Business Ghana, Yeboah terminated his contract with LAFC in January and signed with Qingdao Hainiu in China. Jones became a free agent after being released by the Crew in November.
Commissioner Don Garber, as quoted by ESPN, said the league remains steadfast in its commitment to integrity and will continue to strengthen education and advocate for the elimination of betting on yellow cards.
They aren’t the first
According to a report in Olé, English player Daniel Sturridge was suspended from all activities in March 2020 and fined. Based on information from that same outlet, Ivan Toney placed bets on 232 occasions between 2017 and 2021, 126 of which involved his own team.
According to reports in Italian media, Nicolò Fagioli was suspended for seven months in October 2023, while Sandro Tonali received a ten-month suspension for betting on unauthorized platforms, including Milan matches.
The difference with Yeboah and Jones is the exemplary punishment: in the MLS, there will be no second chance. In betting, you win some and you lose some. This time, both of them lost everything.
