Columbus Crew reserve team coach fired after incident involving ‘physical abuse and sexism’
By Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN
(CNN) — Major League Soccer (MLS) team Columbus Crew fired Federico Higuaín, the head coach of its reserve team, following an incident in a game that a referees’ association deemed “physical abuse and sexism” toward a female referee.
Higuaín – who was appointed head coach of the franchise’s reserves squad, Crew 2, in January 2025 – squeezed and refused to let go of a female referee’s hand during a recent MLS NEXT Pro match and told the official, “Don’t forget this is a man’s game.”
MLS NEXT Pro subsequently investigated the incident and suspended Higuaín for two matches before the Crew let him go.
“We determined it’s in the best interest of our Club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuaín from his responsibilities,” club general manager Issa Tall said in a statement released Tuesday.
“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.”
In a statement Sunday, prior to the Crew firing Higuaín, the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) – which represents pro soccer refs in the US and Canada – criticized the length of the suspension initially made by MLS NEXT Pro, saying it “falls drastically short of the right message.”
CNN Sports has reached out to MLS NEXT Pro for comment.
“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 added. “This physical intimidation was compounded by a demeaning, sexist remark to the official: ‘Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.’
“Women make every level of this game better. They should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments to prove it. Our female officials have proven their excellence on the world stage. They deserve the same respect, dignity, and safe working environment as every other official.”
Higuaín scored 59 goals, had 51 assists and made 210 appearances for the Crew in his lengthy professional career as a player and is the brother of former Real Madrid, Napoli and Argentina star Gonzalo Higuaín.
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