MLS club Columbus Crew have sacked their reserve team coach after he allegedly grabbed a female referee’s hand and told her “don’t forget this is a man’s game”.
The Crew, who play in America’s top flight, confirmed Federico Higuain has been relieved of his duties.
Higuain was sent off and given a two-match suspension for the incident during a Major League Soccer (MLS) Next Pro league match.
The Crew’s former manager, who is the brother of ex-Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain, has not commented on the situation.
Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a statement: “We determined it’s in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities.
“After conversations this week and further assessing the past month, our club’s standards of what’s expected from a leader for one of our teams have not been met.”
The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) criticised the league’s response to the incident.
It said a “forceful grab” should see a three-match ban and felt the MLS’s response fell “drastically short”.
Federico Higuain has been sacked after allegedly grabbing a female referee’s hand and telling her ‘don’t forget this is a man’s game’
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The PRSA wrote: “A male head coach committed two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female official – squeezing her hand and refusing to let go after being told to stop three times.
“This physical intimidation was compounded by a demeaning, sexist remark to the official: ‘Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.’
“Women make every level of this game better.
The club issued a statement on social media
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“They should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments to prove it.
“Our female officials have proven their excellence on the world stage.
“They deserve the same respect, dignity, and safe working environment as every other official.”
Higuain has not commented on the incident
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Columbus is currently in the process of building a women’s team to compete in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
In April, Columbus NWSL 2028 was named the league’s 18th club.
An NWSL spokesman told ESPN that the group will pay a $205million (£176m) expansion fee for the team.
