Columbus, Ohio – The Columbus Crew announced Tuesday that it has terminated the employment of Crew 2 head coach Federico Higuain. The decision follows a confrontation during an August 23 match against Huntsville City FC in which Higuain told a female referee, “Don’t forget, this is a man’s game,” before shaking her hand.
Incident and disciplinary action
According to a report from The Athletic, the comment was made mid‑game and was deemed a deliberate act of physical abuse and sexism by the referees’ union. Higuain, 41, received a red card for the incident and served a two‑match suspension. He returned to the bench earlier this month and oversaw three additional games before the club’s decision.
Club statement
General manager Issa Tall released a statement saying, “We determined it’s in the best interest of our Club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain 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.”
Background on Higuain
Federico Higuain is a former Columbus Crew forward who played for the club from 2012 to 2019, scoring 60 goals and providing 67 assists in 232 MLS matches across Columbus, D.C. United and Inter Miami. He was named MLS Newcomer of the Year in 2012. Higuain took over as head coach of the Crew’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate on Jan. 29, 2025.
Reactions from the referees’ union
The Professional Referee Organization’s union called the two‑match suspension “insufficient” for what it described as “two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism.” The union urged the league and clubs to adopt stricter penalties for conduct that undermines respect for officials.
Implications for the team
The Crew will now search for a new leader for its second‑team squad. The club emphasized its commitment to fostering a respectful environment for players, staff and officials alike. Fans and local community members have expressed support for the decision, noting that the organization’s values align with the broader Columbus community’s emphasis on respect and sportsmanship.
Looking ahead
Columbus Crew’s senior team continues its MLS campaign while the organization works to fill the vacant coaching position. The club’s leadership reiterated that future hires will be evaluated not only on tactical expertise but also on character and adherence to the club’s standards of conduct.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
