Federico Higuaín fired by Columbus Crew after sexist remark and physical aggression toward female referee

Federico Higuaín is no longer the head coach of the Columbus Crew reserve team. The MLS club announced on Wednesday the immediate dismissal of the 41-year-old Argentine after the referees' association released a statement accusing him of making a sexist comment to a female official and committing two deliberate acts of physical aggression during a match. The sudden decision leaves Gonzalo Higuaín's older brother without a job and tarnishes the legacy of a man who spent eight seasons as a beloved player for the franchise.

• Federico Higuaín told a female referee, “Don't forget this is a men's sport,” according to the referees' association.
• The official reported that the coach squeezed her hand forcefully and refused to let go despite being asked three times to stop.
• Columbus Crew initially handed Higuaín a two-match suspension, but the referees' statement forced the club to change course.
• Federico Higuaín spent eight years as a player with Columbus, where he was a fan favorite and one of the club's most respected figures.

What happened between Federico Higuaín and the female referee

The incident occurred during a reserve team match in the MLS. According to the referees' association, the Argentine coach directed a contemptuous remark at the official: “Don't forget this is a men's sport.” The comment, clearly sexist in nature, was not the only excess reported that day.

The same source states that Higuaín committed two deliberate acts of physical aggression. The most serious took place when he shook the referee's hand with excessive force and refused to release it, even though the woman asked him to stop on three separate occasions. The official's report describes intimidating behavior that went far beyond what is acceptable from the touchline.

Federico Higuaín's initial denial and the two-match suspension

At first, Federico Higuaín denied all allegations. Columbus Crew, with whom the Argentine maintained a very close bond dating back to his playing career, opted for a lenient two-match suspension, a response that drew criticism from the refereeing community and part of the fanbase.

The club's position changed dramatically once the referees' association issued its official statement with the details of what had happened. The sporting management concluded that the seriousness of the accusations made it impossible to keep the coach in charge and moved to terminate his contract with immediate effect.

The statement Columbus Crew used to fire their club legend

We decided that what was best for the club, the players and the coaching staff was to relieve Federico Higuaín of his duties. After this week's conversations and a more thorough evaluation of the last month, we concluded that the club was not meeting the standards expected of a team leader.

With those words, Columbus Crew explained a decision that was particularly painful for the organization. Federico Higuaín was not just another employee: he wore the first-team shirt for eight seasons, became one of the most beloved players among the supporters, and returned to the club to begin his coaching career. His dismissal stains a trajectory that seemed destined to keep adding chapters in Ohio.

Federico Higuaín's legacy as a Columbus Crew player

Federico Higuaín joined Columbus Crew in 2012 from Argentine side Colón and quickly became the team's creative engine. His vision, set-piece delivery and ability to deliver in decisive moments earned him the unconditional affection of a fanbase that chanted his name for nearly a decade.

With the Crew shirt he played more than 200 official matches and established himself as one of the most important franchise players in the club's modern MLS era. His return as reserve team head coach was seen as the start of a new chapter for a figure who aspired to build a legacy from the dugout as well.

What this dismissal means for the Higuaín family

The Higuaín family is going through a delicate moment on an institutional level. Gonzalo Higuaín, who retired in 2022 after his spell at Inter Miami, remains a respected figure in American soccer, where he competed during his final years as a professional. The case of his older brother, however, puts the family name at the center of a controversy unrelated to sporting merit.

Federico Higuaín is left without a team at 41 and with his reputation seriously damaged. The Columbus Crew statement leaves little room for an amicable exit: the club speaks of “standards expected of a team leader” and closes the door on any immediate reconciliation.

How the case impacts the fight against sexism in MLS officiating

MLS has intensified its campaigns in recent years against verbal and physical abuse of referees, especially when the victims are women. The Federico Higuaín case adds to a list of incidents that have forced the league to review its sanction protocols and demand a firm response from clubs.

The referees' association has welcomed Columbus Crew's final decision, although it has not hidden its displeasure with the initial two-match ban. For many officials, the case shows that real protection only arrives when public and media pressure forces clubs to act.

What Columbus Crew face after firing Federico Higuaín

Columbus Crew lose a coach who knew the club inside out, but avoid further reputational damage in the middle of the MLS season. The reserve team is now in the hands of an interim coaching staff while the front office searches for a replacement to restore stability to the bench.

The club, MLS Cup champions in 2020 and 2023, is in a period of sporting growth and cannot afford distractions off the pitch. The board trusts that the decision, however painful, reinforces the institution's values and protects the image of the first team.