The final whistle had gone, but the consequences were only beginning. Federico Higuain has been dismissed by Columbus Crew after sexist remarks and inappropriate conduct towards a female referee following an MLS NEXT Pro match.
Higuain, 41, had been coaching the Columbus reserve side since 2025. The former Argentine attacking midfielder is the brother of ex-Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain.
Quick facts
- Federico Higuain has been sacked as Columbus Crew’s reserve-team coach.
- The incident followed an MLS NEXT Pro fixture, the American league’s development competition.
- He was shown a red card and initially handed a two-match suspension.
- Referees’ representatives said he made a sexist comment to a female official and would not release her hand after being told three times to do so.
- Higuain played for Columbus from 2012 until 2020 before returning to the club as a coach.
The referees’ association said Higuain told the official: “Do not forget that this is a men’s sport.” It also said he continued holding her hand despite three requests for him to stop.
The Argentine was sent off in the aftermath and received a two-game ban. Columbus then went further, ending his employment with the club.
In its statement, Columbus did not detail the incident but said Higuain had failed to meet the standards required of a team leader.
Reports in the United States said Higuain did not take responsibility for his conduct, did not show a willingness to reflect on it and made no public apology.
Higuain spent eight years as a Columbus player between 2012 and 2020, becoming a familiar figure at the club before taking charge of its reserve team this year. His departure closes that chapter abruptly, with the disciplinary sanction now followed by the club’s strongest possible response.
