Former Crew star Federico Higuain suspended as Crew2 coach for incident with female referee

Former MLS NEXT Pro coach Federico Higuain, a former Columbus Crew star, is facing a two-game suspension after an incident with a female referee. The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PRSA) has criticized the length of Higuain's punishment, stating that a "forceful grab" like the one described requires a minimum three-game suspension according to U.S. Soccer policy.

The PRSA also noted that Higuain's demeaning and sexist comments towards the female official further warranted the additional discipline. The Columbus Crew, Higuain's club, has cooperated with MLS NEXT Pro throughout the review process and accepts the additional punishment. Higuain, 41, joined Crew2 as coach in January 2025 and is the all-time leading scorer and most-cited player in the club's history.