Columbus Crew have dismissed reserve team coach Federico Higuain following a deeply troubling incident involving a female referee during an MLS Next Pro league match.
Higuain refused to release the referee’s hand and told her “don’t forget this is a man’s game” during the incident, which drew widespread condemnation from across the sport.
The coach was sent off during the match and subsequently handed a two-game suspension by the league for his conduct toward the official.
Higuain is the brother of former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, adding further public profile to an incident that has generated significant attention across football circles.
Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall confirmed the club’s decision to part ways with Higuain in a formal statement released this week.
“We determined it’s in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities,” Tall said.
“After conversations this week and further assessing the past month, our club’s standards of what’s expected from a leader for one of our teams have not been met,” he added.
The Professional Soccer Referees Association criticised the league’s handling of the matter, arguing the two-game ban handed to Higuain falls well short of what the situation demands.
“A male head coach committed two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female official – squeezing her hand and refusing to let go after being told to stop three times,” the PSRA said in a statement.
The referees’ union described the physical intimidation as being compounded by Higuain’s demeaning verbal comment directed at the official during the incident.
“This physical intimidation was compounded by a demeaning, sexist remark to the official: ‘Don’t forget, this is a man’s game,'” the PSRA statement continued.
The association went on to defend the role of female officials throughout the game, stating clearly that women make every level of football better and should not have to endure such treatment.
“Our female officials have proven their excellence on the world stage,” the PSRA said, calling for respect, dignity, and a safe working environment for all officials regardless of gender.
The incident has reignited a broader conversation around the treatment of female officials across professional football, with the referees’ union pressing for stronger sanctions from governing bodies.
Columbus Crew’s decision to sack Higuain signals the club’s desire to distance itself firmly from the coach’s conduct and reinforce its own internal standards of leadership and respect.
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