Columbus Crew confirmed the termination of reserve team manager Federico Higuain on Thursday, citing the club’s commitment to a respectful environment for players, staff and officials. The decision follows a heated incident in a recent MLS NEXT Pro fixture where Higuain was sent off, received a two‑match suspension and, in a post‑match tirade, firmly gripped a female referee’s hand while declaring, “this is a man’s game.” The gesture and remark ignited immediate outrage across the league and among the refereeing community.

General manager Issa Hall addressed the situation, stating, “We determined it’s in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities.” Hall’s remarks underscored the club’s zero‑tolerance stance on conduct that undermines the integrity of the sport. The dismissal aligns with a broader push by the referees association, which has called for serious action against the physical abuse and overt sexism displayed toward the official.

The incident unfolded during a tightly contested Next Pro match, where tensions ran high. Higuain’s conduct not only breached the league’s code of conduct but also