Recent Developments in Yaw Yeboah’s Career
Yaw Yeboah, a 28-year-old Ghanaian footballer, has recently faced significant repercussions in his professional career. On March 9, 2026, it was announced that he received a lifetime ban from Major League Soccer (MLS) due to serious betting offences.
This decision comes after an investigation into his gambling activities during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Yaw Yeboah, who played for Columbus Crew in the 2024 season, was found to have engaged in extensive gambling, including bets placed on his own team.
Alongside Yaw Yeboah, fellow Ghanaian player Derrick Jones, aged 29, also received a lifetime ban for similar offences. Both players were teammates at Columbus Crew and were involved in questionable betting practices that raised red flags within the league.
On October 19, 2024, both players placed bets on Jones receiving a yellow card during a match, which he subsequently received. This incident triggered an investigation by MLS after suspicious betting alerts were reported.
The investigation revealed that both players likely shared confidential information with other bettors regarding their intent to draw yellow cards. However, MLS stated, “No evidence was identified that suggested any of these betting activities affected the outcome of a match.” This finding indicates that while the players’ actions were unethical, they did not directly manipulate game results.
Prior to his ban, Yaw Yeboah had a brief stint with Los Angeles FC after his contract with Columbus Crew. He made 17 appearances for Los Angeles FC in 2025 before the termination of his contract. Following this, he signed with Qingdao Hainiu, continuing his career in a different league.
Yaw Yeboah’s journey in professional football began at Manchester City, where he was from 2014 to 2018 but did not make a first-team appearance. His career included loan spells at Lille, Twente, and Oviedo before making his way to MLS.
The implications of these events are significant for both players, as they now face a lifetime ban from MLS, impacting their careers and future opportunities in professional soccer. The integrity of the sport is also called into question, highlighting the need for stricter regulations regarding gambling in sports.
As the situation develops, further details may emerge regarding the players’ actions and the league’s response to ensure the integrity of the game is maintained.