Columbus Crew have terminated Federico Higuaín’s role with their second team after a controversial exchange involving a female match official.
The former Crew player had been in charge of Crew 2, the club’s MLS NEXT Pro outfit, before the organisation decided to remove him from the position. Higuaín is also the elder brother of former Argentina international and Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuaín.
The development stems from an incident that occurred after Crew 2 played Huntsville City FC on August 23. Higuaín was shown a red card and later punished with a two-game suspension over his behaviour.
The incident reportedly occurred during the customary handshake between the coaching staff and match officials. Higuaín allegedly gripped the hand of the female referee, squeezed it and continued holding on even after she instructed him to release it on three occasions.
BBC Sport reported on Wednesday that Higuaín also made the following comment to the official: “Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.”
Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall said the club reached its decision after reviewing the situation and holding further discussions.
“We determined it’s in the best interest of our Club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuaín from his responsibilities.
“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 punishment handed down by the league had already drawn criticism from the Professional Soccer Referees Association, which argued that a two-match ban did not adequately address the incident.
The referees’ body said: “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 PSRA described the league’s initial punishment as one that “falls drastically short.”
Although Higuaín had completed the suspension and returned to the sideline after undergoing part of a restorative practices programme, Columbus later decided to end his association with the team.
Crew 2’s existing technical staff will take charge for the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs as Columbus begins its search for a new coach.
