The coach of the Crew’s second team, Crew2, is at the center of a controversy following a two-game suspension following an incident involving a female referee.
Federico Higuain, a former Crew star, has already served the suspension by MLS NEXT Pro, which investigated the incident and issued the punishment. A Sept. 20 post on Twitter/X by the Professional Soccer Referees Association, however, takes issue with the length of the suspension.
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Revealing details about an incident, which occurred Aug. 23 during a game against Huntsville City FC, the statement said a “male coach” squeezed a female official’s hand without letting go despite being told three times to stop. The coach was also accused of telling the official: “Don’t forget, this is a man’s game,” which the PRSA statement described as “demeaning” and “sexist.”
Former Columbus Crew legend Federico Higuain is honored by the team during a ceremonial before the Nashville SC game at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio on April 2, 2022. Ceb Crew 0402 Kwr 08
The Dispatch has confirmed that Higuain is the coach in the incident. Higuain has since missed Crew2 games Aug. 30 against Chicago Fire II and Sept. 4 against Philadelphia Union II. That punishment, however, didn’t meet the PRSA’s expectations. The association decided to call out MLS NEXT Pro in its statement, citing that, “U.S. Soccer policy states a ‘forceful grab’ like this requires a minimum three-game suspension.”
The PRSA statement also says, “Acts of discrimination also require a minimum three-game suspension,” and that, “MLS NEXT Pro’s own manual also states that coaches are held to a ‘higher professional standard than players.’ “
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MLS NEXT Pro and the Crew issued statements about the incident.
Per the league: “MLS NEXT Pro immediately investigated the reported incident between the head coach and the female official. It was determined that the coach’s behavior violated League policies and warranted additional discipline beyond the red card that was issued in the moment. He served a two-game suspension and is required to participate in a multi-session restorative practices process, which is already underway. The program is intended to support the League’s efforts to foster understanding, accountability, respect, and the restoration of relationships across the League. MLS NEXT Pro believes in the restorative approach. The League is confident in its process and the results.”
The Crew’s statement: “The Crew actively collaborated with MLS NEXT Pro throughout the review process and fully accepted the additional discipline issued in accordance with league policies. Our Club is dedicated to growing the game by creating environments where everyone is welcome and supported on and off the pitch, which is founded upon our values of respect, inclusivity and prioritizing people and culture first. We condemn any action or notion that contradicts our mission of uniting and uplifting all communities and genders through the global game.”
Former Columbus Crew legend Federico Higuain signed a one-day contract to retire as a Columbus Crew player during a ceremonial before the Nashville SC game at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio on April 2, 2022.
Higuain, 41, was named Crew2’s coach Jan. 29, 2025, six years after his final season with the Crew and three years after signing a one-day contract April 2, 2022, to officially retire in Columbus. He sits atop the club’s all-time leaders in regular-season assists (63) and ranks in the top 10 in all-time in goals (third, 55), games played (sixth, 193) and starts (fourth, 184).
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Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Former Crew star Federico Higuain suspended as Crew2 coach for incident with female referee
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