Federico Higuaín has been dismissed from his position with the Columbus Crew following the suspension of the club’s MLS NEXT Pro coach due to an incident involving a female referee in August.
“After careful discussions this week and an evaluation of events over the past month, we concluded that removing Federico Higuaín from his role is in the best interest of our Club, players, and support staff. Our standards for leadership within the team have not been fulfilled,” stated Crew general manager Issa Tall.
The Crew announced that the technical staff of Crew 2 will take on additional duties during the upcoming 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs while they search for a new permanent head coach.
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The situation surrounding Higuaín came to public attention on Sunday when the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) criticized MLS NEXT Pro for what they viewed as an insufficient two-game suspension levied against a male coach who aggressively shook the official’s hand and made a sexist comment about the sport being for men.
“In a recent match, a male head coach displayed two clear acts of physical abuse and sexism towards a female official—gripping her hand tightly and ignoring her requests to let go thrice. This intimidation was further exacerbated by his derogatory remark: ‘This is a man’s game,'” the statement read.
The PSRA argued that U.S. Soccer’s guidelines indicate the coach’s “forceful grab” should have warranted at least a three-game suspension.
Columbus Crew 2 head coach Federico Higuain during a game between Columbus Crew 2 and New England Revolution II. (Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
(Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Reports, including one from ESPN, identified Higuaín as the coach involved, noting that the incident occurred following Crew 2’s defeat to Huntsville City FC on August 23. It was reported that Higuaín was suspended for games on August 30 and September 4, although this was not publicly confirmed until later.
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MLS NEXT Pro stated that it conducted an immediate investigation and determined that Higuaín’s actions warranted further sanction beyond the red card he received during the match.
In addition to a two-game ban, Higuaín was mandated to complete a “multi-session restorative practice” training program. MLS NEXT Pro expressed confidence in this training, created to promote understanding, accountability, respect, and relationship restoration throughout the league.
According to ESPN, Higuaín reportedly displayed “a lack of remorse” and declined to apologize publicly to the female referee involved in the incident.
On Monday, several female referees shared photos of themselves on Instagram with the caption “We Belong,” signaling solidarity in light of the situation. Notable among these was MLS referee Tori Penso, recognized as the first American woman to officiate at a FIFA World Cup this past summer.
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Higuaín, originally from Argentina, played for Columbus from 2012 to 2019 and was previously the head coach of Inter Miami II before joining Crew 2 in 2025.
Fan Take: This news highlights the urgent need for accountability and respect within the sport, especially towards officials. Such incidents not only affect the individuals involved but also impact the overall integrity and inclusiveness of soccer, emphasizing the importance of fostering a culture that supports equality and dignity for all participants.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
