Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Columbus Crew Fires Federico Higuaín After Alleged Sexist Conduct
The Columbus Crew fired coach Federico Higuaín.
This happened after a female referee reported an upsetting interaction with a male coach.
The referees’ association said the coach squeezed her hand and would not let go.
It also said he made a comment suggesting soccer was only for men.
The association did not name Higuaín directly.
However, local reports connected the incident to him.
The league gave the coach a two-game suspension.
The referees’ association said that punishment was not strong enough, while the Crew said Higuaín failed to meet its leadership standards.
Columbus Crew dismissed reserve-team coach Federico Higuaín late Tuesday after allegations involving a female match official.
The Professional Soccer Referees Association said a male coach squeezed a female referee’s hand, refused to release it and allegedly said, “Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.”
The incident reportedly occurred during an MLS NEXT Pro match between Crew 2 and Huntsville City FC on Aug. 23.
The league issued the coach a two-game suspension, which the referees’ association said was inadequate.
Crew general manager Issa Tall said Higuaín did not meet the club’s standards for team leadership.
- Who
- Federico Higuaín, the Columbus Crew’s reserve-team coach, was dismissed; a female match official was involved in the alleged incident.
- What
- The Columbus Crew fired Higuaín after allegations of physically intimidating and making sexist remarks toward a female referee.
- When
- The reported incident occurred on Aug. 23, and Higuaín was dismissed late Tuesday; he had coached Crew 2 since January 2025.
- Where
- The incident reportedly occurred during an MLS NEXT Pro match between Crew 2 and Huntsville City FC.
- Why
- The Crew said its leadership standards were not met, while the referees’ association criticized the league’s two-game suspension as insufficient.
Club and league response
Referees’ association concerns
Appropriate response
Club and league response
The Columbus Crew said it dismissed Federico Higuaín because its standards for leaders of its teams had not been met. The league had previously issued a two-game suspension.
Referees’ association concerns
The Professional Soccer Referees Association said the two-game suspension fell drastically short of sending the right message to participants, referees and the public.
Treatment of female officials
Club and league response
The Crew’s public statement did not specifically refer to the Aug. 23 incident or detail the allegations.
Referees’ association concerns
The association said female officials should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments and argued that women improve every level of soccer.
- Club
- Columbus Crew
- Dismissed coach
- Federico Higuaín
- Reported incident
- Aug. 23 during an MLS NEXT Pro match
- Teams involved
- Crew 2 and Huntsville City FC
- Initial punishment
- Two-game suspension
- Referees’ association
- Professional Soccer Referees Association
- Crew general manager
- Issa Tall