The Columbus Crew fires its coach Federico Higuain for sexist comments and physical assault towards a referee

Author of sexist remarks, Federico Higuain leaves MLS. The American football club Columbus Crew announced on Tuesday the dismissal of its reserve team coach.

The Argentine technician had told a referee “don’t forget that it’s a man’s sport” while refusing to let go of her hand after a match, according to the referees’ association.

The coach made no public apology

Brother of former Argentina and Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain, he had already received a red card and a two-match suspension for this incident before the club decided to sack him. “We judged that it was in the interest of our club, our players and our technical management to relieve Federico Higuain of his duties,” declared Issa Tall, general manager of the Columbus Crew.

In subsequent discussions with the club, Higuain “was unwilling to question himself or take responsibility for his actions, and made no public apology,” The Athletic reported, citing unnamed sources within the club. The incident occurred during a match in MLS NEXT Pro, the MLS development league.

Sexism and physical aggression

In a press release, the referees' association accused Higuain of having “committed two deliberate acts of physical aggression and sexism against a female referee. He shook her hand forcefully and refused to let go despite being asked three times to stop. » “This physical intimidation was accompanied by a sexist and degrading remark addressed to the referee: ‘Don’t forget that it’s a man’s sport’,” she added.

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The organization had criticized the initial two-game suspension pronounced by the league, deeming it “largely insufficient”, and called for a suspension of at least six games. “Women are enriching this sport at all levels. They should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments to prove it,” the union also insisted.