Austin FC's youth academy is at the center of a criminal investigation after the club says it alerted authorities to allegations of youth-on-youth misconduct that it first learned about in December 2025. The academy shut down activities for the specific age group involved, and club officials say some players were suspended or expelled while an internal review took place. Local police and federal investigators are reported to be involved, and the club says it is cooperating fully. For now, parents, coaches and league officials are waiting on more details as the probe plays out.
Club response and reporting
In its public statement, Austin FC said it "prioritizes the health and safety of our youth players above everything else" and that it reported the allegations to local law enforcement while also notifying the U.S. Center for SafeSport and Major League Soccer, per Austin FC. Coverage from CBS Austin and public radio KUT reports that the club suspended the affected age group and disciplined players while outside investigators conduct their work.
Law enforcement probe
Multiple outlets report that the Austin Police Department has confirmed an active investigation and that FBI personnel have taken part in interviews at the club's training site, although federal spokespeople declined to comment, according to The Guardian. That reporting says the inquiry focuses on interactions among academy players and that several families first raised concerns in December 2025. Authorities have released few specifics, citing the involvement of juveniles and the fact that the case is ongoing.
About the academy
Austin FC runs an academy system that develops teenage players across several age groups and competes in the MLS Next youth competition, according to club materials. The organization says its setup includes safeguarding training, a designated Athlete Safety Officer and policies aligned with SafeSport standards intended to protect youth participants, per Austin FC. Club officials say those safeguards were used when families brought concerns forward late last year.
Legal implications
When allegations involve minors, multiple processes can unfold at once: the U.S. Center for SafeSport addresses sport-related complaints while local law enforcement investigates potential crimes, according to the Center's overview of its response process. Major League Soccer's academy rules require clubs to report allegations and follow safeguarding protocols, and the league has said it is coordinating with clubs as those investigations move forward, per MLS guidance. The overlap can result in several parallel, and sometimes slow, paths before any formal findings are made public.
Families and privacy
Reporting so far indicates that academy families first brought their concerns to the club and that players then faced disciplinary measures, as detailed by The Guardian. Local coverage notes that the club has shared SafeSport resources with parents and urged anyone with additional information or concerns to contact authorities, per CBS Austin. News organizations have stressed the sensitivity of the story, pointing to strict privacy protections for juveniles and the tight limits on what officials are willing to disclose publicly.
What to watch next
Law enforcement's investigation and any related SafeSport review remain underway, and officials say they will release information when they are able, according to local reporting. Families and community members are watching for potential criminal filings, public updates from authorities or additional action from the league. Public radio and local outlets report that the club is cooperating with investigators and has paused activity for the affected age group while the probe continues, per KUT. Those with sport-related concerns can find reporting and safety guidance on the U.S. Center for SafeSport's website.
