COLUMBUS CREW FIRE COACH AFTER ALLEGED HAND-SQUEEZING, SEXIST REMARK

Read Time:1 Minute, 36 Second

By ‘Balogun Ibrahim

Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew have dismissed their reserve-team coach, Federico Higuaín, following an incident involving a female referee in which he allegedly refused to release her hand and made a sexist comment.

Higuaín, the brother of former Real Madrid and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuaín, was relieved of his duties as head coach of Crew 2, the club’s MLS NEXT Pro team.

The decision followed his sending-off and subsequent two-match suspension for his conduct after the team’s August 23 fixture against Huntsville City FC.

During the post-match handshake, Higuaín was accused of squeezing the female referee’s hand and refusing to let go even after she reportedly told him three times to stop. He was also quoted as telling her, “Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.”

READ MORE…

‘NEVER A FRIENDLY GAME’ — ANCELOTTI AHEAD OF INDIA MATCH

Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall said the club decided to terminate Higuaín after reviewing the incident and assessing his conduct over the previous month.

“We determined it’s in the best interest of our Club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuaín from his responsibilities,” Tall said.

The Professional Soccer Referees Association had earlier criticised the initial two-match suspension, describing it as insufficient.

The referees’ union said Higuaín’s actions amounted to physical intimidation and sexism, stressing that female officials should be treated with the same respect and dignity as their male counterparts.

The union also argued that the two-match ban “falls drastically short” of what was appropriate for the incident.

Higuaín had returned to the touchline after serving his suspension and completing part of a required restorative-practices programme before Columbus Crew decided to end his tenure.

Crew 2’s technical staff will oversee the team during the upcoming MLS NEXT Pro playoffs while the club begins its search for a permanent replacement