Columbus Crew have dismissed reserve team head coach Federico Higuain following an incident involving a female referee during an MLS Next Pro match.
Higuain, the brother of former Real Madrid and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, was sent off after allegedly squeezing the official’s hand, refusing to release it despite repeated requests and making a sexist remark suggesting that football was a man’s game.
The incident resulted in a two-match suspension for Higuain, but Columbus Crew subsequently decided to terminate his employment.
Club general manager Issa Tall confirmed that the decision followed internal discussions and a broader review of Higuain’s conduct over the previous month. The club concluded that he had failed to meet the leadership standards expected of its coaching staff.
The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) criticised the disciplinary response, arguing that the two-match ban was insufficient given the seriousness of the incident.
According to the referees’ union, Higuain deliberately intimidated the official by squeezing her hand and refusing to release it after she had asked him to stop three times. The union also condemned his subsequent sexist comment.
The PSRA stressed that female referees deserve the same respect, protection and safe working conditions as their male counterparts, pointing to their achievements at the highest levels of international football.
While the league’s disciplinary action was limited to a two-match suspension, Columbus Crew’s decision brings Higuain’s tenure as reserve team coach to an end.