Austin FC academy under investigation by police and FBI for allegations of youth-on-youth sexual abuse
Austin FC’s youth academy is being investigated by Austin police and the FBI over allegations of sexual abuse involving academy players. The case matters because it concerns the safeguarding of minors within a professional football club’s development system, and the club and Major League Soccer say they are cooperating with authorities.
Austin FC said it learned of alleged youth-on-youth misconduct in December 2025 after concerns were raised by families, then informed MLS, the US Center for SafeSport and local law enforcement. The affected age group’s activities were suspended, several players have reportedly been disciplined, and internal league and club processes have been paused while law enforcement investigates; no academy staff member has reportedly been disciplined. The academy has five teams from under-13 to under-18 level, involving at least 100 players.
- Austin FC academy faces police and FBI inquiries over alleged abuse between youth players.
- The club suspended the affected age group and notified relevant authorities.
- Investigations remain ongoing, with few details released because minors are involved.
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Austin FC is a professional football club in America's Major League Soccer. Like many professional clubs, it operates a youth academy to develop young players, with teams covering age groups from around 13 to 18 years old.
The academy is under investigation by Austin police and the FBI following allegations of sexual abuse between academy players. The concerns were raised by families in December 2025, leading the club to report the matter to MLS, the US Center for SafeSport, and local law enforcement.
The case involves questions of child safety within professional sports organisations' development systems. Sports authorities treat such allegations seriously because of their duty of care toward young athletes in their programmes.