Ghanaian footballer Yaw Yeboah has been handed a lifetime ban after engaging in sports betting in the Major League Soccer (MLS), which is against the league’s gambling policy.
In a statement released on Monday, MLS confirmed that Yeboah and American midfielder Derrick Jones have both been banned for life after an investigation into betting activities linked to league matches.
According to the league, neither player is currently under contract with an MLS club, but the sanctions were imposed following an extensive probe into their actions during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
MLS launched the investigation after receiving suspicious betting alerts through its integrity monitoring partners.
The league subsequently retained law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP to conduct a detailed review, while the players were placed on administrative leave during the process.
Following the investigation, MLS concluded that the two players engaged in extensive betting on football matches, including games involving their own teams.
In one incident cited by the league, both players placed a wager on Jones to receive a yellow card during a match played on October 19, 2024, an event that eventually occurred.
The league also determined that the players likely shared confidential information with other bettors regarding their intentions to receive yellow cards.
However, MLS noted that investigators did not find evidence suggesting the betting activities influenced the outcome of any match.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber reaffirmed the league’s stance on integrity, stressing that strict enforcement of its gambling policies remains a priority.
Yeboah, who previously represented the Ghana national football team, enjoyed spells in Europe earlier in his career and later featured in MLS before leaving the league.
The lifetime ban effectively ends the former winger’s involvement in MLS competitions and serves as one of the strongest disciplinary actions taken by the league against betting-related violations.
Yaw Yeboah recently signed for Chinese Super League club Qingdao Hainiu in March, following his departure from MLS side LAFC.