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Columbus Crew Fires Coach Federico Higuain After Referee Grab

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 4:16 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Columbus Crew Fires Higuain

Columbus Crew dismissed reserve-team coach Federico Higuain after a sexist incident involving a female referee.
He was sent off on 23 August and received a two-match suspension.
The Professional Soccer Referees Association labeled the grab deliberate physical-abuse and called for a three-game ban.
Crew general manager Issa Tall said Higuain failed to meet the club’s leadership standards.

Summary

Columbus Crew Condemns Misconduct

Columbus Crew said firing was the best decision for the club, its players, and support staff.
The reserve squad will be overseen by existing staff until a permanent head coach is hired.
Columbus Crew worked with MLS Next Pro on the review and accepted any additional league discipline.
The club condemned behavior that contradicts its mission to unite and value all communities and genders.

History

Historical Context

Congress passed Title IX on June 23 1972, extending the 1964 Civil Rights Act to forbid sex discrimination in federally funded education. The law raised women to 42 percent of college enrollment and spurred rapid growth in female athletics. The Columbus Crew’s 2024 firing of reserve-team coach Federico Higuain for a sexist assault shows Title IX’s ongoing impact in sports.

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Columbus Crew Fires Higuain

Columbus Crew dismissed reserve-team coach Federico Higuain after a sexist incident involving a female referee.
He was sent off on 23 August and received a two-match suspension.
The Professional Soccer Referees Association labeled the grab deliberate physical-abuse and called for a three-game ban.
Crew general manager Issa Tall said Higuain failed to meet the club’s leadership standards.

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