Columbus Crew sack reserve coach Federico Higuain after remark to female referee

Columbus Crew have dismissed reserve-team coach Federico Higuain after he refused to release a female referee's hand and told her "don't forget this is a man's game" during an MLS Next Pro league match, the club announced on 23 September 2026. He was sent off during the incident.

Federico Higuain, who spent eight seasons with Columbus Crew as a player and is the brother of former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, was later handed a two-match suspension for the episode. The sanction was imposed following the incidents that occurred during the MLS Next Pro fixture.

Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a statement: "We determined it's in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities," and added: "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 Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) criticised the league's response, saying Higuain's two-game ban "falls drastically short". A statement from the referees' union added: "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. "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."

The club's statement makes clear Higuain will no longer carry out his coaching duties with Columbus Crew, and the referees' union has publicly called for stronger disciplinary action than the two-match ban imposed.