{
  "id": 9241742,
  "title": "MLS coach sacked after refusing to release female referee’s hand, calling football ‘a man’s game’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/mls-coach-sacked-after-refusing-to-release-female-referees-hand",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T01:54:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/09/23/mls-coach-sacked-after-refusing-to-release-female-referees-hand-calling-football-a-mans-game/236178"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Columbus Crew has dismissed Argentine reserve team coach Federico Higuain following a controversial incident where he refused to release a female referee's hand, telling her \"Don't forget this is a man's game\". The Major League Soccer club announced the decision on September 23, citing that Higuain had already received a red card and a two-match suspension for the incident. The team stated that their standards of leadership were not met by Higuain, who was unwilling to reflect or take accountability for his actions and did not offer a public apology. The female referee's union criticized Higuain's actions as physical abuse and sexism, calling for a minimum six-game suspension, emphasizing that women should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments in professional football.",
  "summary": "LOS ANGELES, Sept 23 — Columbus Crew sacked Argentine reserve team coach Federico Higuain for telling a female ref...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "MLS coach axed for telling female ref 'It's a man's game'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/mls-coach-axed-for-telling-female-ref-its-a-mans-game",
        "published": "2026-09-22T22:28:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "MLS coach axed for telling female ref ‘It’s a man’s game’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/mls-coach-axed-for-telling-female-ref-its-a-mans-game-9223014",
        "published": "2026-09-22T22:49:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}