MLS coach sacked over sexist remarks to female referee

n n

Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew have sacked their reserve team coach Federico Higuaín after an incident in which he refused to release a female referee’s hand and made a sexist remark.

n

Higuaín, the brother of former Real Madrid and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuaín and a former longtime player for Columbus, was dismissed as head coach of Crew 2, the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side.

n

The decision came after he was sent off and handed a two-match suspension for his conduct following an August 23 match against Huntsville City FC.

n

During the post-match handshake, Higuaín is accused of squeezing the female official’s hand and refusing to let go despite being told to stop three times.

n

As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, Higuaín was quoted as saying, “He then told her: ‘Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.”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 Higuaín from his responsibilities.

n

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) had earlier criticised the league’s initial two-game ban as inadequate.

n

In a statement, the referees’ union said: “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.

n

“This physical intimidation was compounded by a demeaning, sexist remark to the official: ‘Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.

n

“Women make every level of this game better. They should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments to prove it.

n

“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.”The PSRA described the two-match suspension as one that “falls drastically short.”

n

Higuaín had returned to the sideline after serving the ban and completing part of a required restorative practices process before the club decided to part ways with him.

n

The Crew 2 technical staff will handle coaching duties during the upcoming MLS NEXT Pro playoffs while the club searches for a permanent replacement.

n n