Ex-Man City academy star handed lifetime ban by MLS

Former MLS stars Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah have been handed lifetime bans from the competition.

The pair have been suspended after breaching the league’s betting rules.

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An investigation found Jones and Yeboah had ‘engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including on their own teams’.

The offences took place during the 2024 and 2025 MLS campaigns.

Those included both players betting on Jones to be booked in a match between New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew on October 19, 2024.

He was subsequently shown a yellow card in the 35th minute of a 3-2 away victory for Columbus.

Jones and Yeboah previously played together for Columbus, where they won the Leagues Cup in 2024.

Neither player is currently contracted by an MLS club, with Jones released by the Crew in November.

Meanwhile, Yeboah had his contract terminated by LAFC in January and has since joined Chinese side Qingdao Hainiu.

MLS statement

In a statement confirming the suspensions, MLS said: “Major League Soccer has issued lifetime suspensions to Derrick Jones and Yaw 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.

“After reviewing the results of the investigation, MLS concluded that the players engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including on their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

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“In one instance, both players bet on Jones to draw a yellow card during an October 19, 2024 match, which he received.

“MLS also determined that the players likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intent to draw yellow cards.

“No evidence was identified that suggested any of these betting activities affected the outcome of a match.”

MLS commissioner Don Garber added: “Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to match integrity.

“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.”

Yeboah previously spent four years in England after joining Manchester City from the Right to Dream academy in his native Ghana aged 17 in 2014.

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The winger was sold to Numancia following loan spells with Lille, Twente and Real Oviedo during his time with City.

He later joined Polish side Wisla Krakow before signing for Columbus in January 2022.

Yeboah made 91 MLS appearances across his time with the Crew and LAFC, winning both the MLS Cup and Leagues Cup with the former.

As for Jones, the former USA under-23 international has spent his entire career in the States.

The Ghana-born midfielder has made 130 MLS appearances for Charlotte FC, Philadelphia Union, Columbus, Houston Dynamo and Nashville.

Jones was also part of the Leagues Cup-winning side alongside Yeboah in 2024.