Multiple players in the academy of Major League Soccer club Austin FC are under investigation by Austin police and the FBI over allegations of sexual abuse within the club’s youth system. Multiple sources, who spoke to the Guardian on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation, said the inquiry centers on alleged interactions between academy players. A source with knowledge of the matter said multiple academy families reported the allegations to Austin FC.
The Austin police department confirmed the existence of the investigation to the Guardian on Thursday, adding that because it “involves juveniles and is ongoing”, no other details could be shared. An FBI spokesperson said the bureau could “neither confirm nor deny” the existence of an investigation and declined to comment further. Sources at MLS and Austin FC confirmed the existence of the Austin police department and the FBI’s investigations.
“In December 2025, we became aware of allegations of youth-on-youth misconduct occurring among a group of academy players,” the Austin FC Academy said in a statement issued to the Guardian. “After learning of these issues from concerned Academy families, Austin FC Academy took immediate action.”
The academy said in its statement that its officials immediately reported the allegations to MLS, the US Center for SafeSport and local law enforcement and initiated an internal investigation in coordination with the league. The academy also suspended “all activities” for the age group affected by the allegations while the issues were investigated. The FBI has visited the club’s training facility to conduct interviews, a club source told the Guardian.
Sources within MLS and Austin FC said that multiple academy players had been disciplined as a result of their investigation but that no Austin FC academy staff member had been. That same source said the league and club could pursue additional action if new information arises, but both Austin FC and the league itself have been asked to pause their own proceedings until law enforcement concludes theirs.
“We continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement throughout its ongoing investigation,” the Austin FC Academy said in a statement to the Guardian. “Throughout this process, Austin FC Academy and MLS took decisive actions guided by our unwavering commitment to the health, safety and well-being of our youth players and will continue to do so.”
“MLS takes matters of player safety and well-being extremely seriously,” the league said in a statement to the Guardian. “Throughout the process, MLS and Austin FC have approached this matter from a trauma-informed perspective, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the young people involved, protecting their privacy, minimizing the risk of further harm, and coordinating carefully with law enforcement and other appropriate authorities. MLS prioritizes the safety and well-being of players and will continue to work with clubs to promote a safe and respectful environment.”
The Austin FC academy program comprises five teams, from U-13 to U-18 age groups. At least 100 players are involved in the program, which is overseen by a separate coaching staff and leadership structure from the senior team. The teams compete in MLS Next, the youth competition run by the league that started in 2020. Like many MLS academies, Austin FC recruits from around the country and offers homestay living arrangements for players arriving from out of town. They also provide schooling for their players via an agreement with Florida-based SAI academy, who provide on-site education for many MLS academies.
At the senior level, Austin’s sporting department has changed significantly in recent months, with the club moving on from head coach Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell in May. On Friday, a club source said those changes were not connected to the allegations. Austin eventually installed former Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin as Estevez’s replacement, though he will not take charge until the start of the 2027 sprint season. The team, led by interim head coach Davy Arnaud, sit 14th out of 15 teams in the Western Conference, three points clear of last-place Sporting Kansas City.
