Several players at one Major League Soccer Team’s youth academy are now under investigation by the FBI and Texas police over allegations of sexual abuse, multiple sources told The Guardian.
Both the team, Austin FC, and MLS have confirmed the existence of the investigations. The FBI could neither confirm nor deny the story when contacted by The Guardian. Austin police acknowledged the investigation, while refusing to share further details because the situation ‘involves juveniles and is ongoing.’
‘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 provided to The Daily Mail. ‘After learning of these issues from concerned Academy families, Austin FC Academy took immediate action.’
Austin FC said it immediately told MLS, the US Center for SafeSport and local law enforcement about the allegations. Meanwhile, the age group in question had all activities suspended during the investigation.
The FBI has since visited the club’s training facility to interview witnesses, a source told The Guardian.
Multiple academy players have been disciplined over the investigation’s findings, but the team told the Guardian that no staff have been punished over the matter.
Austin FC’s youth academy players are under investigation by the FBI and local police
‘We continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement throughout its ongoing investigation,’ the Austin FC statement continued. ‘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.’
The MLS has also released its own statement.
‘MLS takes matters of player safety and well-being extremely seriously,’ read the MLS statement. ‘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.’
There are around 100 players across the Austin FC academy’s five teams, which range from 13-and-under to 18-and-under. Players are recruited from around the country and often stay with host families in the area.
MLS youth academy teams compete in MLS Next, which also provides schooling for players.
