Major League Soccer club Austin FC is currently under investigation by the Austin police department and the FBI regarding allegations of sexual abuse within the club’s academy. Multiple sources, speaking to the Guardian on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, confirmed that the focus is on interactions among academy players. An Austin FC source mentioned that several academy families raised concerns with the club regarding these issues.

The Austin police department verified the existence of the investigation to the Guardian on Thursday. They indicated that, due to the involvement of juveniles and the ongoing nature of the probe, further details cannot be disclosed. An FBI spokesperson stated that the bureau could “neither confirm nor deny” the existence of an investigation and opted not to provide additional commentary. Sources at MLS and Austin FC also confirmed that both the Austin police department and the FBI are actively investigating.

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“In December 2025, we became aware of allegations of youth-on-youth misconduct occurring among a group of academy players,” the Austin FC Academy stated in a communication to the Guardian. “After learning about these issues from concerned Academy families, Austin FC Academy took immediate action.”

According to the academy’s statement, officials promptly reported the allegations to MLS, the US Center for SafeSport, and local law enforcement, as well as launching an internal investigation in coordination with the league. The academy also suspended “all activities” for the affected age group while the investigation was underway. A club source informed the Guardian that the FBI had visited the club’s training facility to conduct interviews.

Sources within MLS and Austin FC noted that several academy players have faced disciplinary action due to the investigation, but no Austin FC academy staff members have been disciplined. This same source mentioned that both the league and the club could seek further action if new information emerges, but they have been requested to pause their own inquiries until law enforcement concludes its investigation.

“We continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement throughout its ongoing investigation,” the Austin FC Academy stated in its communication to the Guardian. “Throughout this process, Austin FC Academy and MLS have taken decisive actions guided by our unwavering commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our youth players and will continue to do so.”

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“MLS takes matters of player safety and well-being extremely seriously,” the league asserted in a statement provided to the Guardian. “Throughout the process, MLS and Austin FC have approached this issue from a trauma-informed perspective, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the young people involved, while protecting their privacy, minimizing the risk of further harm, and coordinating carefully with law enforcement and other appropriate authorities. MLS is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of players and will continue to collaborate with clubs to foster a safe and respectful environment.”

The Austin FC academy program includes five teams, spanning U-13 to U-18 age groups. With at least 100 players involved, the program is managed by a separate coaching staff and leadership structure compared to the senior team. The teams compete in MLS Next, the youth competition established by the league in 2020. Like various MLS academies, Austin FC recruits from across the country and provides homestay arrangements for players relocating from out of town, along with education for players through an agreement with Florida-based SAI Academy, which provides on-site instruction for many MLS academies.

At the senior level, Austin’s sporting department has undergone significant changes in recent months, with the club parting ways with head coach Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell in May. A club source clarified that these changes were unrelated to the ongoing allegations. Austin eventually appointed former Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin to replace Estévez, although he will not take the helm until the start of the 2027 sprint season. Meanwhile, the team, under interim head coach Davy Arnaud, currently ranks 14th out of 15 teams in the Western Conference, remaining three points ahead of last-place Sporting Kansas City.