MLS Reserves Coach Sacked After Grabbing Female Referee's Hand and Telling Her 'This Is a Men's Game'

▲ Columbus Crew announces the dismissal of reserve team head coach Federico Higuain.

A reserve team manager in Major League Soccer (MLS) has been fired following controversy over sexist remarks and behavior directed at a female referee.

MLS club Columbus Crew announced on the 23rd (KST) that it has dismissed reserve team head coach Federico Higuain, 41.

The club stated, "We have decided that relieving Higuain of his duties is the best decision for our club, players, and support staff." It added, "Following multiple conversations this week and an additional review of the situation over the past month, we determined that he failed to meet the standards our club expects from its team leaders."

Columbus' reserve team, which competes in MLS Next Pro—effectively the third tier of American professional soccer and an MLS development league—will be led by the coaching staff until a permanent head coach is appointed.

Higuain, a native of Argentina, is the older brother of former striker Gonzalo Higuain, 38, who played for the Argentina national team and Real Madrid (Spain), among other clubs.

According to sports media outlet ESPN, Higuain reportedly grabbed and refused to let go of a female referee's hand while shaking hands after an MLS Next Pro match held on August 23 local time, despite the referee asking him to stop three times.

Furthermore, Higuain made sexist remarks to the referee, telling her, "Don't forget, this is a men's game."

Due to this behavior, Higuain received a red card and a two-match suspension.

Previously, the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) disclosed the incident without explicitly naming Higuain, arguing that a heavier penalty should have been imposed.

According to a report by The Athletic citing club officials, Higuain failed to reflect on his actions or take responsibility during subsequent meetings with the club, and did not issue a public apology.

(Photo: Captured from Columbus Crew social media, Yonhap News)

※