Columbus Crew dismiss Federico Higuain after referee incident

Columbus Crew have dismissed reserve-team head coach Federico Higuain after an incident involving a female referee that led to a red card and a two-match suspension. The club confirmed his departure in a statement, while BBC Sport reported the referees' union had criticised the league's disciplinary response.

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General manager Issa Tall said the decision followed discussions during the week and a further assessment of the preceding month. He said Higuain had not met the leadership standards required by the club, and that removing him was in the interests of the organisation, its players and its support staff.

According to the Professional Soccer Referees Association's account, reported by BBC Sport, Higuain squeezed the official's hand and would not release it despite being asked to stop three times. The union also said he made a sexist remark telling the referee that football was a man's game. It characterised the conduct as physical intimidation and sexism.

The association considered the two-game suspension inadequate. In its statement, it argued that female officials should not have to face intimidation or degrading remarks and should receive equal respect and workplace protection. BBC Sport reported that Higuain had been sent off over the incident in an MLS NEXT Pro match; the club's dismissal ends his role with Crew 2.

Higuain's departure also closes another chapter in a long association with Columbus. In an earlier retrospective, the club recorded 193 regular-season appearances, 55 goals and 63 assists across his eight seasons as a player. He also made 14 postseason appearances, contributing four goals and five assists, and won the club's most valuable player award three times.

The Crew said the remaining Crew 2 technical staff would take on additional responsibilities for the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs. That arrangement will precede a search for a permanent head coach. The dismissal announcement did not name a successor or set a date for an appointment, leaving the existing staff responsible for the team's immediate playoff preparations.