Major League Soccer has handed lifetime bans to former Columbus Crew team-mates Derrick Jones and Yaw Yeboah following an investigation into extensive betting offences.
The league confirmed the severe sanctions after discovering the duo wagered on football matches, including fixtures involving their own clubs, across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Investigators highlighted a specific incident from October 2024 where both men placed bets on one of them receiving a yellow card in a fixture against the New York Red Bulls.
The 29-year-old midfielder was subsequently booked in that precise match.
Sharing of confidential information
MLS also determined that the players likely shared confidential information with other bettors about their intent to draw yellow cards.
A statement released by the American top flight clarified that the overall results of the games remained uncompromised despite the integrity breaches.
Both individuals had already departed the North American competition before these lifetime suspensions were publicly announced.
Recent league departures
The Ghanaian winger recently transferred to Chinese Super League outfit Qingdao Hainiu following the termination of his Los Angeles FC contract in January.
Meanwhile, the former USA youth international was released by the Crew late last year.
The pair had previously played together in Ohio during the 2024 campaign.
Contrasting career paths
The 28-year-old attacker previously spent four years developing at Manchester City without making a senior appearance for the reigning Premier League champions.
His professional journey included loan stints across Europe with Lille and Twente before eventually settling into the American soccer system.
Conversely, the Ghana-born central midfielder built his entire playing career within the United States, representing franchises such as the Philadelphia Union, Nashville SC and Charlotte FC.
Richarlison will start as Tottenham Hotspur welcome back Cristian Romero and Djed Spence for their Champions League last-16 first leg against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano.
The crucial European tie takes place in the Spanish capital as the North London club aim to secure a vital first-leg advantage.
Spurs received a significant double fitness boost ahead of the fixture with the timely return of their combative Argentine centre-back and the dynamic English full-back.
Their inclusion provides much-needed defensive reinforcement for the demanding away trip.
Attacking reshuffle for Spurs
Up front, the Brazilian forward has been handed a starting berth to lead the attacking line against Diego Simeone’s notoriously resolute defence.
Richarlison will be tasked with breaking down a rigid structure inside the hostile environment of the Metropolitano.
Securing a positive result on the road could prove pivotal before the return leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
High stakes in Madrid
Progressing past the Round of 16 remains a priority for the Premier League outfit as they seek to establish their credentials among Europe’s elite.
The Spanish giants, meanwhile, will rely on their formidable home record in European knockout football to frustrate the visitors.
Fans eagerly anticipate whether the returning defensive duo can immediately withstand the intense pressure expected on Monday evening.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr was the subject of at least seven 911 calls in the weeks leading up to his recent arrest for felony battery and stalking.
The emergency calls indicated heightened fears from an unidentified ex-girlfriend that she was being stalked and harassed at her Florida residence.
These preliminary incidents culminated in early February when the defensive player allegedly rammed his vehicle into the car of WNBA player Rickea Jackson.
Jackson’s attorneys have subsequently filed a court notice confirming she is “willing to testify” against the athlete if the domestic violence charges proceed to trial.
Escalating domestic disturbance reports
Police officers were repeatedly dispatched to a Doral residence shared intermittently by the NFL player and his on-again, off-again partner between November and his eventual arrest.
During a visit on 28 January, the woman residing at the property reported a domestic disturbance and expressed fear after her front door was damaged.
According to the official police incident report, she decided to relocate to a hotel to avoid any further altercations.
Earlier that same day, law enforcement had responded to the property in emergency mode following reports of a daytime burglary in progress.
Previous interventions and financial disputes
Authorities had explicitly instructed the athlete to stay away from his ex-girlfriend’s home on 13 January.
Records detail another incident in late November following Atlanta’s game in New Orleans, where the woman refused to grant him entry after he repeatedly knocked and called her landline.
She alleged during that specific encounter that the primary purpose of his visit was to collect a $70,000 debt.
No arrests were made during any of these seven preliminary visits to the residence, as the subject consistently departed before officers arrived.
The Falcons have declined to comment on the situation, while representatives for both parties have not responded to external requests for a statement.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has challenged his side to break new ground as they prepare to host Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 at St James’ Park.
The Magpies are preparing for what their head coach recently described as the biggest match in the club’s history.
Having exited the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester City last weekend, the Tyneside outfit are now fully focused on European progression.
Newcastle enter the tie as heavy underdogs against the Catalan giants, especially with the decisive second leg scheduled for the Camp Nou.
Rising to the historic occasion
Howe believes that embracing the sheer scale of this momentous fixture will bring out the very best in his squad.
“I want the club to break new ground and to keep going in this competition having worked so hard to get here.”
“We are going to need to break new ground in terms of performance levels and when we need to perform, there is no better time than these two games.”
This season marks only the second time the North East club has reached the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
“There’s only 16 teams left and we are one of them. We don’t want to waste that opportunity and this is a moment for us to grab it.”
Livramento return offers timely boost
The English manager confirmed a mixed injury and illness bulletin ahead of the crucial first-leg encounter.
Key Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes remains sidelined and is not expected to return to action until next month.
However, talented full-back Tino Livramento has resumed training and could feature in the matchday squad.
“He probably hasn’t done enough training to be 100 per cent confident he is in a physical enough state to start.”
“It’s a delicate balance but he trained again this morning, he trained on Friday and it’s a massive boost for us to have him back.”
Overcoming squad illness
The coaching staff are also managing a localised virus that swept through the dressing room over the past week.
Anthony Gordon, Joelinton and Jacob Murphy were all relegated to the bench against Manchester City due to the illness.
“No fresh injuries but we have a little bit of illness in the camp. Hopefully we will have everyone available tomorrow.”
The highly anticipated first leg kicks off on Tuesday evening, before the decisive return fixture in Spain on 18 March at 17:45 GMT.
The Miami Dolphins have signed quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year contract worth $67.5m (£53m) just hours after officially releasing Tua Tagovailoa.
The lucrative agreement effectively crowns the former Green Bay Packers signal-caller as the franchise’s new starting quarterback for the upcoming season.
It marks a swift reunion for the 25-year-old, who joins first-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley in Florida.
Both executives spent the past two seasons working closely with the athletic playmaker during their respective tenures in Wisconsin.
Replacing an established veteran
Miami’s need for a new field general became an immediate priority on Monday morning.
The AFC East franchise officially announced the departure of Tagovailoa, ending a notable and at times turbulent era in South Florida.
Sullivan had previously insisted on adding serious competition to the quarterback room ahead of the new campaign.
By striking early on the first day of the league’s negotiating period, the front office has removed any remaining guesswork from their offseason strategy.
High ceiling and dual-threat ability
The Dolphins hierarchy secured a player capable of stressing opposition defences with both his arm and his legs.
This dual-threat capability is a distinct trait that the Miami offence noticeably lacked during the previous regime.
Originally selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2022 draft, the mobile quarterback initially struggled as a developmental project.
However, his career trajectory changed dramatically upon joining the Packers in 2024.
Flawless short-term audition
Stepping in for three crucial starts during his time in Green Bay, the revitalised passer threw for 612 yards and three touchdowns.
He maintained a spotless turnover record during that impressive stretch without throwing a single interception.
The dynamic runner also contributed significantly on the ground, adding a further 174 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Hafley previously praised his new quarterback’s adaptability when operating as a scout-team player against the starting defence in Green Bay.
“Obviously him and I have a really good relationship, and he always did a really good job and gave us everything that we needed,” Hafley said.
US men’s national team defender Sergiño Dest has suffered a severe hamstring injury while playing for PSV Eindhoven, casting significant doubt over his availability for the upcoming World Cup.
The dynamic full-back was forced off in the 55th minute of his club’s 2-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar on Saturday.
He appeared in visible agony and required assistance from two medical staff members to leave the pitch after clutching his left leg.
Race against time for World Cup
The United States begin their tournament campaign against Paraguay on 11 June, leaving a narrow window for rehabilitation.
Hamstring ailments are notoriously difficult to overcome, but the 23-year-old remains defiant about his recovery prospects.
“I’m out for a little while to do what I love the most! But one thing for sure this is NOT the end of the season!”
“I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that I’m coming back asap on the right timing! Thanks for the messages won’t let you guys down!”
A vital attacking weapon
While occasionally scrutinised for his defensive positioning, the attacking flair of the PSV star is virtually irreplaceable for his national side.
His ability to beat opponents and deliver the unexpected makes him the ultimate wildcard alongside key figures like Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie.
Supporters will vividly remember his crucial assist against Iran at the 2022 tournament, where his perfectly timed run set up Pulisic to score the goal that secured knockout progression.
Pochettino weighs up defensive options
Manager Mauricio Pochettino must now prepare contingency plans should his premier attacking full-back fail to recover in time.
An absence on the right flank would inevitably allow opposition teams to focus heavier defensive attention on shutting down Pulisic in the final third.
The Argentine coach possesses some depth in the wing-back positions, with emerging talents like Alex Freeman potentially stepping into the spotlight.
Jalen Smith has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery charges in Philadelphia after operating as a central fixer in a widespread NCAA basketball point-shaving scheme.
The Charlotte native appeared in federal court on Monday to admit his role in orchestrating rigged college matches during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
Prosecutors revealed the trainer used his professional scouting connections to recruit athletes with the promise of substantial cash payments in exchange for purposefully underperforming.
After securing agreements from the corrupted athletes, the scheme’s organisers would then place lucrative wagers against those compromised teams to defraud legitimate sportsbooks.
Sweeping federal investigation
Federal authorities unsealed charges against the North Carolina resident in January alongside 25 other individuals embroiled in the sprawling scandal.
This extensive group of indicted figures included 17 former college basketball players alongside four individuals who were still active on collegiate rosters this season.
More than a dozen athletes actively attempted to manipulate game outcomes as recently as last year, with some even assisting in the recruitment of their peers.
Cash deliveries and wire fraud
To avoid detection by financial institutions, the orchestrator frequently travelled across the country to meet corrupted players and deliver their illicit payments by hand.
This guilty plea represents a significant milestone in an ongoing federal crackdown aimed at preserving the integrity of American collegiate athletics.
Newcastle United are preparing a summer transfer move for striker Dominic Solanke as struggling Tottenham Hotspur face the genuine threat of Premier League relegation.
The Magpies are ready to capitalise on the worsening crisis in North London by reuniting manager Eddie Howe with his former forward.
Spurs currently sit 16th in the top flight, hovering just a single point above the drop zone with nine crucial matches remaining.
A disastrous winless run of 11 games in 2026 has left the club staring at their first season in the second tier since 1978.
Financial implications of the drop
Former chairman Daniel Levy inserted substantial wage reduction clauses into player contracts to protect the club’s finances in the event of demotion.
These looming pay cuts are expected to trigger a mass exodus of high-profile international talent from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Igor Tudor is currently managing the squad on an interim basis following the February dismissal of head coach Thomas Frank.
Reuniting on Tyneside
Solanke has managed five goals in 12 domestic and European appearances this season despite grappling with persistent injury issues.
The 28-year-old cost the Lilywhites £65m when he arrived from Bournemouth in 2024, a financial package the North East outfit may need to match to secure his signature.
Howe remains a vocal admirer of the English attacker after overseeing his impressive development on the south coast.
“He’s an outstanding player, I have said that from day one, and he’ll only continue to get better.”
While Tottenham would desperately want to retain their marquee signing to orchestrate an immediate return to the elite, a lucrative bid could easily force their hand.