Former Man City player hit with lifetime ban after involvement in match-fixing scandal

Two players have been handed lifetime bans from Major League Soccer after "extensive" gambling offences.

On Monday, the MLS, the highest level of football in the United States, announced that both Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah had been subjected to the strictest available punishment.

The league were notified about “suspicious betting alerts" and investigated proceedings with the assistance of a law firm.

Both players, who were teammates at Columbus Crew for one season, were then placed on administration leave in October 2025 and by the time the investigation finished, neither were playing in the MLS.

In a statement, the MLS concluded that the pair "engaged in extensive gambling on soccer, including on their own teams, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons".

They also said that both placed the same bet for Jones receive a yellow card in a 3-2 win over New York Red Bulls, which did then happen.

MLS also added that Jones and Yeboah "likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intent to draw yellow cards" but stressed there was "no evidence was identified that suggested any of these betting activities affected the outcome of a match".

Yaw Yeboah and Derrick Jones have been hit with lifetime bans. Image: Getty

Yeboah, who through the Right to Dream academy and joined Manchester City in 2014, moved to the MLS in 2022 after a flurry of loans and spells at Numancia and Wisla Krakow.

He played 91 times for Crew and after his contract not renewed, Yeboah signed a two-year deal with Los Angeles FC in January 2025 and played 17 appearances.

The 28-year-old saw his deal terminated by mutual consent earlier this year and he subsequently joined Chinese Super League Qingdao Hainiu, who were docked seven points at the start of the new season as part of a major investigation into match-fixing, gambling and corruption in Chinese football.

Jones, meanwhile, first played for Philadelphia Union before turning out for Nashville, Houston Dynamo, Charlotte FC and then Crew - winning the Leagues Cup in 2024.

The former USA youth international was released from his contract last year and remains a free agent.

Commenting on the suspension, MLS commissioner Don Garber said: "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."

The ban does not appear to apply to football outside of the MLS as it is not a ban imposed by FIFA. As it stands, Ghana international Yeboah is still eligible to play at the 2026 World Cup back in North America.