Ex-Manchester City star handed lifetime soccer ban after betting on matches
Former Manchester City academy player Yaw Yeboah has been handed a lifetime ban from Major League Soccer after betting on a team-mate getting a yellow card during a match in 2024
Former Manchester City youth star has been banned from playing in the MLS for life(Image: AP)
Former Manchester City academy prospect Yaw Yeboah has been slapped with a lifetime Major League Soccer ban after violating the league’s gambling regulations.
The 28-year old spent four years at the Etihad Stadium following his arrival from Ghana’s Right to Dream Academy. He had loan spells with Lille, FC Twente and Oviedo before departing City in 2018. Yeboah, who earned four caps for Ghana, had stints with Columbus Crew and LAFC in MLS – but it’s now been confirmed he’s permanently barred from returning to the competition for betting on matches.
It was claimed that Yeboah and former colleague Derrick Jones wagered on the latter receiving a booking during a 2024 encounter between Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls, with Jones duly picking up a yellow card in the 35th minute.
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Both players have now been handed bans, with an MLS statement declaring: “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 and 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. In one instance, both players bet on Jones to draw a yellow card during an October 19, 2024 match, which he received.”
The 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 stated: “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 scored the winning goal in the 2023 MLS Cup Final in 2023 as Columbus Crew beat Los Angeles FC 2-1. He joined Los Angeles in January 2025 playing 17 times before he and Jones were placed on administrative leave by the MLS last October. Yeboah joined Chinese outfit Qingdao Hainiu last month.
Jones, 28, was born in Ghana but emigrated to the United States as a teenager and has spent his entire career in the States.
He earned two caps for the USMNT under-23 squad as he rose through the youth ranks at the Philadelphia Union and later played for Nashville SC, Houston Dynamo, Charlotte FC and most recently with Columbus.
Jones has made 131 league appearances in his career but has remained clubless since departing Columbus last year.
