By The American Tribune | Created at 2026-10-02 10:18:01 | Updated at 2026-10-02 12:48:21
2 hours ago
An Austin FC fan says she was removed from Q2 Stadium and barred from returning for a year after refusing to cover her “Abolish ICE” shirt. Stadium staff offered her a complimentary replacement shirt so she could remain at the match. She declined and left the venue. The club said it was enforcing its matchday rules on political messaging.
Daniela Silva attended Austin FC’s Saturday, September 26th, match against San Diego FC during Hispanic Heritage Night. She told the San Antonio Current that two security guards approached her shortly before the team took the field and told her the shirt violated stadium policy. Austin FC attributed the restriction to Major League Soccer’s rules governing fan conduct at its venues.
Silva said she had already passed through stadium security without anyone stopping her over the shirt. According to her account, staff approached after she reached seats near the field and within view of television cameras. She repeatedly asked to see the policy they were citing. She said employees referred her to the online rules without showing her the policy during the encounter.
As the San Antonio Current reported, Silva said she wore the shirt in solidarity with protesters who marched to the stadium before the game. They were raising concerns about an alleged ICE staging location near the club’s front office. Silva rejected the offer of an Austin FC shirt and criticized the restriction itself. “Even if that is the policy, it’s a bad policy,” she said.
Austin FC gave its account in a statement to KXAN, which reported that Silva received a criminal trespass warning prohibiting her from returning to the stadium property for one year. The club described its conversation with her as respectful and said she could comply or leave. “We provided the option of receiving a complimentary T-shirt to remain compliant with the policy or to leave the venue,” Austin FC said.
The code of conduct published on Austin FC’s website prohibits displaying signs, symbols or images to campaign for or against political candidates and parties. It also covers advocacy concerning legislative issues or government action. The rules apply throughout Q2 Stadium and extend to parking lots and other areas controlled by the club or MLS. A separate provision requires fans to follow venue staff’s requests concerning stadium operations, policies and emergency procedures.
Silva also said in her video that a security guard told her ICE agents were at the match. Austin FC disputed that account in its statement to KXAN. The club said ICE had not been present during matches, including that Saturday night. It also denied that the agency used Austin FC’s offices or facilities, addressing the claims about its property directly.
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Watch Silva describe the encounter here:
The stadium’s posted rules list ejection without a refund, loss of future ticket privileges and revocation of season tickets among the possible penalties for violations. They also provide for bans of up to a year or longer for extremely disruptive or dangerous conduct, or multiple violations within a 12-month period. Depending on the violation’s nature and severity, a fan seeking reinstatement may have to submit a written request for readmission and complete an online Fan Code of Conduct Education Class.
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video.
