Federico Higuain has been dismissed from his role as Columbus Crew’s reserve team coach after an incident involving a female referee in which he was accused of refusing to release her hand and telling her, “don’t forget this is a man’s game”.
Higuain, the former Argentina international and brother of ex-Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, was sent off during an MLS Next Pro match following the incident. He was subsequently handed a two-match suspension, a punishment that has drawn criticism from the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA).
The Columbus Crew confirmed that Higuain had been removed from his coaching responsibilities after reviewing the incident and assessing his conduct over the previous month.
“We determined it’s in the best interest of our club, players, and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities,” Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a statement.
“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.”
The decision came after Higuain’s conduct toward the female official during the MLS Next Pro match. According to the referees’ union, Higuain squeezed the referee’s hand and continued holding it after she had asked him three times to let go.
The PSRA described the incident as both physical intimidation and sexism, arguing that the two-match suspension imposed by the league did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the behaviour.
“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 union said.
The organisation also condemned the comment directed at the referee, saying the physical confrontation was followed by a “demeaning, sexist remark” when Higuain told her, “Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.”
The PSRA said female officials should not have to tolerate intimidation or degrading treatment while working in professional football.
“Women make every level of this game better. They should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments to prove it,” the union said.
The dispute comes as female referees continue to take on increasingly visible roles across football, including at the highest levels of the sport. The PSRA pointed to the performance of women officials on the international stage as evidence of their place within the game and said they should receive the same professional treatment and working conditions as their male counterparts.
“They deserve the same respect, dignity, and safe working environment as every other official,” the union said.
For Columbus Crew, the matter ultimately extended beyond the disciplinary action imposed by the league. The club’s decision to remove Higuain means the former player will no longer lead its reserve side, with the organisation making clear that its expectations for coaches include how they conduct themselves toward officials.
Higuain’s departure also closes a chapter for a figure who had a long association with professional football. His name is familiar to supporters through his own playing career and his family connection to Gonzalo Higuain, who enjoyed a distinguished career with clubs including Real Madrid.
The immediate controversy, however, is centred on his conduct toward the referee and the standards expected of those working in positions of authority within the sport. While the league’s two-match suspension remains the formal disciplinary punishment reported in the case, Columbus Crew’s decision represents a separate action by the club over its expectations of leadership and behaviour.
