Ghanaian winger Yaw Yeboah has been handed a lifetime ban by Major League Soccer after being found guilty of violating the league’s strict gambling rules.
The sanction was announced on Monday following a lengthy investigation into betting activities involving Yeboah and fellow player Derrick Jones. League officials determined that the players placed bets on football matches, including games within MLS, which is strictly prohibited under league regulations.
According to the findings, one of the bets was reportedly placed ahead of a match between Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls in October 2024. Investigators said the wager involved Jones receiving a yellow card during the game, an incident that eventually occurred and raised serious integrity concerns.
Both players had earlier been placed on administrative leave while the investigation was ongoing. After reviewing the evidence, MLS concluded that the breaches were severe enough to warrant lifetime suspensions from the league.
The decision means Yeboah, a former Ghana youth international who has played for several clubs in Europe and the United States, is permanently barred from participating in MLS competitions.
League authorities emphasized that the punishment underscores their commitment to protecting the integrity of the sport and maintaining zero tolerance for betting-related violations. ⚽
