Federico Higuaín Dismissed
Columbus Crew dismisses coach Federico Higuaín following alleged misconduct toward a referee.
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Key Points
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The Professional Soccer Referees Association said Higuaín squeezed the official’s hand and refused to release it despite being told three times to stop, describing the conduct as two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism.
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MLS said the restorative-practices requirement was a multi-session process intended to promote understanding, accountability, respect and the restoration of relationships across the league.
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Higuaín is a major figure in Columbus Crew history: he ranks fourth in club scoring, second in assists and seventh in appearances after spending eight seasons with the first team.
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The Crew 2 supporters’ group called for Higuaín to have no further association with the club after the incident became public.
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Crew 2 finished fourth in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference, with its playoff campaign scheduled to begin in October.
Columbus Crew fired head coach Federico Higuaín after he allegedly grabbed a female referee's hand and refused to let go following an August 23 match. NDTV reported that Higuaín told the official, "Don't forget, this is a man's game," during the incident with Huntsville City FC. The Professional Soccer Referees Association said the coach squeezed her hand and ignored three requests to release it.
MLS initially gave Higuaín a two-game suspension and required him to complete a restorative-practices program. But the Columbus Crew dismissed him entirely, saying his conduct failed to meet the club's leadership standards. WION noted that Higuaín, who spent eight seasons with the Crew's first team, ranks among the club's all-time greats in scoring and assists.
Suspension Falls Short of League Standards
The Professional Soccer Referees Association criticized MLS's initial punishment as too lenient. France24 reported that MLS imposed only a two-game suspension, but U.S. Soccer's recommended minimum for physical abuse and discriminatory conduct is higher. The referees' union described Higuaín's actions as two separate deliberate acts: squeezing the official's hand and refusing to release it despite being told three times to stop.
MLS defended its response by saying the restorative-practices requirement was a multi-session program designed to build understanding and accountability. The league said this process aims to restore relationships across professional soccer. Still, the Crew chose to go further and fired Higuaín entirely.
A Legend's Fall From Grace
Higuaín had a storied history with Columbus Crew. He played eight seasons with the first team and ranks fourth in club scoring and second in assists. Headtopics described him as the brother of former Argentina and Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain. His firing marks a dramatic reversal from his status as a club icon.
The Crew 2 supporters' group demanded that Higuaín have no further association with the club after the incident became public. This showed that fans stood firmly behind the female official and rejected his conduct.
Crew 2 Heads Into Playoffs Without a Head Coach
Columbus Crew 2 finished fourth in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference and begins its playoff campaign in October. The club's technical staff will oversee the team during the postseason while management searches for a new permanent head coach. The dismissal leaves the reserve squad navigating a critical stretch without established leadership.
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