Columbus Crew sacked reserve team coach Federico Higuain after he refused to release a female referee from a handshake and told her “don’t forget this is a man’s game,” according to Major League Soccer. Higuain, the brother of former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, received a red card and a two-match suspension before the club dismissed him.
Columbus Crew General Manager Explains Termination
“We determined it’s in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities,” Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a statement reported by the club. Tall added that following conversations and an assessment of the past month, the club’s leadership standards had not been met.
According to the Athletic, Higuain was “unwilling to reflect or take accountability for his actions, nor did he offer a public apology” during follow-up talks with the club.
Referees’ Union Condemns League Sanctions
The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) criticized the initial disciplinary action, stating that Higuain’s two-game ban “falls drastically short,” and called for at least a six-game suspension, according to the union’s statement.
Did you know? The PSRA stated that Higuain committed two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism by squeezing the official’s hand and refusing to let go after being told to stop three times.
The referees’ union added that female officials deserve the same respect, dignity, and safe working environment as every other official, noting that women make every level of the sport better and should not endure intimidation or degrading comments.
MLS NEXT Pro League Context
The incident occurred during a match in MLS’s developmental league, MLS NEXT Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Federico Higuain?
Federico Higuain is the reserve team coach of the Columbus Crew and the brother of former Argentina and Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain.
Why was Federico Higuain sacked?
According to the Columbus Crew, Higuain was dismissed because he failed to meet the club’s leadership standards following an incident where he refused to let go of a female referee’s hand and made a sexist remark during an MLS NEXT Pro match.
What did the referees’ union say about the incident?
The Professional Soccer Referees Association criticized the initial two-match ban as falling drastically short, detailing that Higuain engaged in physical intimidation and sexism.
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