Full Breakdown
Columbus Crew Dismisses Reserve Coach Federico Higuain After Referee Incident
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The league imposed a two-match suspension on Higuain for the conduct.
Background & Context
Federico Higuain, 41, is the older brother of former Real Madrid and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain. After a playing career in Argentina, Turkey and Mexico, he joined Columbus Crew in 2012, made more than 200 appearances, and later returned as a technical staff member before being appointed head coach of the club’s Major League Soccer (MLS) Next Pro side in January 2025.
Criticism & Opposition
The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) argued that the league’s response “falls drastically short” of what the association believes is appropriate for a “forceful grab” that should merit a three-game ban.
Data & Statistics
- Disciplinary action: two-match suspension imposed by MLS.
- Employment outcome: dismissal from the reserve-team head-coach position.
- Incident details: hand-grip persisted after the referee asked the coach to stop three times; the sexist remark accompanied the physical act.
Timeline
- August 23 – Sources report the match in which the hand-grip and remark occurred.
- Early September – MLS issues a two-match ban to Higuain.
- Later in September – Columbus Crew announces Higuain’s dismissal, citing failure to meet leadership standards.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All news outlets describe the incident as having taken place on August 23, treating the date as a past event. The provided date ledger, however, lists August 23 as a “scheduled” date, indicating it was not confirmed as occurred. No additional details are offered about any internal investigations or whether further sanctions beyond the two-match ban were considered.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A male head coach committed two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female official - squeezing her hand and refusing to let go after being told to stop three times.” — union — union