MLS clearly demonstrated its authority by granting permanent suspensions to two soccer players who were involved in soccer gambling that exploited themselves for profit. The U.S. Soccer League acknowledged the sanctions in a statement and called for sanity. After a thorough investigation, the league determined that players Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah committed serious violations of the Integrity Policy by placing large bets on football games.
MLS bans two players for life over gambling scandal
An investigation conducted by law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP revealed that players were placing bets during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The most important aspect of the report notes that both men specifically bet that Jones would receive a yellow card in a game against the New York Red Bulls in October 2024, and Jones did just that.
An official league statement said officials were suspected of “sharing confidential information with other bettors regarding the likely intent to force a yellow card.”
The gambling situation is very serious, and other leagues have also imposed heavy sanctions, so MLS will respond in good faith and hope this phenomenon does not spread.
MLS stance
MLS Commissioner Don Garber has been blunt about MLS’s zero tolerance for such behavior.
“Major League Soccer remains steadfast in its commitment to the integrity of the game. The league will continue to enforce its policies, increase education efforts, and advocate for the end of yellow card gambling in all states.”
Although the investigation found no evidence that these actions changed the final score of the match, the permanent suspension is aimed at dispelling any doubts about the tournament’s transparency.
