Columbus Crew have sacked their reserve team coach after he refused to release a female referee’s hand and told her “don’t forget this is a man’s game”.
Federico Higuain, the brother of former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, was sent off and handed a two-match suspension over the incident, which took place during a match in the MLS Next Pro league. He had spent eight seasons with the Major League Soccer club during his playing career.
The Crew have now moved to end his time on the coaching staff entirely. “We determined it’s in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities,” 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 Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) had already criticised the league’s handling of the matter, arguing that a two-match ban “falls drastically short” of an adequate sanction. The referees’ union said a male head coach had 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 physical intimidation was compounded by a demeaning, sexist remark directed at the official. “Women make every level of this game better. They should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments to prove it,” the PSRA statement said. “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.”