In Columbus, where Crew 2 are preparing for the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, the club has dismissed head coach Federico Higuaín after an incident involving a female referee and remarks described as discriminatory.
The news from the club
Columbus Crew said it had concluded that removing Higuaín was the right step for the club, its players and support staff. The Argentine had been in charge of the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side, Crew 2.
General manager Issa Tall said conversations during the week, combined with a wider review over the previous month, had shown that Higuaín had not met the standards required of someone leading one of the organisation’s teams.
For the playoff campaign, existing Crew 2 staff will take on extra responsibilities while Columbus searches for a permanent head coach.
The Professional Soccer Referees Association brought the complaint against Higuaín. It alleged that he gripped the referee’s hand with excessive force and did not release it despite repeated requests. The association also said he told her not to forget that football was “a men’s sport”.
The referee has not been publicly identified, and the match in which the incident occurred has not been specified. Higuaín’s most recent game in charge was Crew 2’s 4-2 defeat to Toronto FC II on 9 September.
He was initially given a two-match suspension, but the referees’ union regarded that punishment as inadequate. It argued that female officials should not be subjected to intimidation or discriminatory remarks.
Higuaín leaves after 55 matches at the Crew 2 helm, recording 23 victories and 32 defeats.
His connection to Mexico
The case has also drawn attention in Mexico because Higuaín previously played for Club América. His stay with the Mexico City side lasted six months during the 2008 Clausura, in which he made 22 appearances, scored twice and registered one assist.
