MLS team sacks coach for saying “This is a man’s game” to female referee
Dubai: Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew have dismissed reserve team coach Federico Higuain after an incident involving a female referee during an MLS Next Pro match. Higuain is the brother of former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine was sent off during the game and later handed a two-match suspension for the incident. According to the Professional Soccer Referees…
Columbus Crew have dismissed reserve team coach Federico Higuain following an incident involving a female referee during an MLS Next Pro match. Higuain, brother of former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, was sent off and suspended for two matches. The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) stated that Higuain refused to release the female official's hand after she asked him to stop, squeezing and holding her hand despite being told three times.
Higuain later commented, "Don't forget, this is a man's game," drawing further criticism. Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall announced the dismissal, citing that the club's standards had not been met. The PSRA criticized the league's disciplinary response, deeming Higuain's two-match suspension inadequate. While Federico Higuain has lost his job, his brother Gonzalo continues to work for Inter Miami as a player development coach.
Federico Higuain previously played for the Miami club alongside his brother before retiring in 2021.
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