Columbus Crew have dismissed reserve-team coach Federico Higuain following an incident involving a female referee in which he allegedly refused to release her hand during a handshake and told her to remember that football was “a men’s game”.
The Major League Soccer club announced the decision on Tuesday after reviewing the incident and subsequent discussions with Higuain. The episode took place during an MLS NEXT Pro match, the development competition connected to Major League Soccer.
Higuain had already been shown a red card for his conduct and subsequently received a two-match suspension from the league. The Columbus Crew later decided to remove him from his coaching position following an internal review.
Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall said the club had concluded that Higuain’s departure was the appropriate course of action for the organisation, its players and support staff.
“We have decided that removing Federico Higuain from his position is the best decision for our club, players and support staff,” Tall said.
He added that discussions during the week, along with a review of events from the previous month, had led the club to determine that Higuain had not met the standards expected of someone leading one of its teams.
The incident has drawn particular attention because of the alleged physical interaction with the referee and the comment directed at her. According to the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), Higuain allegedly held the official’s hand despite being told by three people to stop and release it.
The referees’ organisation described the conduct as involving two deliberate physical incidents as well as discriminatory behaviour based on gender. It also highlighted the remark allegedly made to the official: “Remember, this is a men’s game.”
The PSRA criticised the initial two-match suspension imposed by the league, arguing that it did not adequately reflect the seriousness of the incident. The organisation called for a suspension of at least six matches.
In a statement, the association stressed that women play an increasingly important role across all levels of football and should not have to face threats or degrading comments while carrying out their professional duties.
The organisation also pointed to the experience and achievements of female officials on the international stage, saying they should receive the same respect and dignity as their male counterparts and be able to work in a safe professional environment.
The Athletic, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, reported that Higuain was reluctant to reflect on his conduct or accept responsibility during subsequent discussions with the club. The report also said that he had not issued a public apology over the incident.
Higuain, an Argentine former forward, is the brother of Gonzalo Higuain, the former Real Madrid and Argentina striker. Federico Higuain also had a playing career before moving into coaching and taking charge of Columbus Crew’s reserve side.
The club’s decision to dismiss him came after the initial disciplinary action from the league, adding a separate employment consequence to the sporting sanction already imposed. While the league’s suspension related to his conduct during the match, Columbus Crew’s decision followed its own assessment of whether he had met the standards expected of a coach representing the organisation.
The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the relationship between match officials and coaches. Referees are responsible for enforcing the laws of the game, while coaches are expected to maintain professional conduct towards officials regardless of disagreements during or after matches.
For the refereeing community, the case has also highlighted concerns about the treatment of women working in football. The PSRA’s comments emphasised that female officials should be able to perform their duties without facing physical intimidation or comments questioning their place in the sport.
Columbus Crew have now ended Higuain’s tenure as coach of their reserve side, following the club’s review of the incident and the circumstances surrounding it.
