Former Columbus Crew Players Banned for Life from MLS for Gambling Violations
Two former Columbus Crew players have been banned for life from playing in Major League Soccer after being found to have placed bets on matches while they were active players. Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah, who are not currently signed with an MLS club, were found to have violated the league's gambling policy. The league launched an investigation after receiving alerts about suspicious betting activities involving the two players. Jones and Yeboah were placed on administrative leave during the investigation, which revealed that they had engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including betting on their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. One incident involved both players betting on Jones receiving a yellow card during a match in October 2024, which he did.
MLS also determined that Jones and Yeboah likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intention to receive yellow cards. The league stated that there was no evidence to suggest that the bets influenced the outcome of any matches. The Columbus Crew, the team for which both players previously played, issued a statement condemning any actions that go against the values of respect and integrity in soccer. The club emphasized its commitment to upholding fair competition and complying with MLS policies on sports gambling regulations. The Crew cooperated with the league's investigation and deferred all comments on the results and disciplinary actions to MLS.
Yaw Yeboah played for the Columbus Crew from 2022 to 2024, while Derrick Jones was part of the roster in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The lifetime bans imposed on the two players serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the sport and upholding ethical standards in professional soccer. The actions taken by MLS underscore the seriousness with which the league addresses violations of its gambling policy and the consequences for those who engage in such activities. The incident involving Jones and Yeboah highlights the need for vigilance and adherence to regulations to preserve the integrity and fairness of the game.