MLS coach axed for telling female ref ‘It’s a man’s game’
Federico Higuain had already received a red card and a two-match suspension for the incident before the team dismissed him.
Columbus Crew, an American soccer club, has terminated the contract of their reserve team coach, Federico Higuain, following an incident involving a female referee. The Major League Soccer (MLS) club cited Higuain's sexist and abusive behavior towards the official as the reason for his dismissal.
Higuain, the brother of former Argentina and Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain, had already been handed a red card and a two-match ban for his actions during a match in the MLS NEXT Pro league, MLS's developmental league. The incident in question involved Higuain squeezing the female referee's hand and refusing to release it after being asked to stop multiple times.
In addition to the physical abuse, Higuain made a sexist remark to the official, telling her "Don't forget, this is a man's game." The Professional Soccer Referees Association, representing referees' unions, strongly condemned Higuain's behavior, describing it as deliberate physical abuse and sexism. The union criticized the league's initial two-game suspension, calling for a minimum six-game ban instead.
The union's statement highlighted the excellence of female officials and emphasized that they deserve respect, dignity, and a safe working environment. It particularly urged for the elimination of intimidation and degrading comments that female officials often have to endure.
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