Gonzalo Higuain's brother sacked by MLS club for sexist remark to female referee
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Neutral summary
Columbus Crew announced on September 22, 2026, that Federico Higuain had been relieved of his duties as head coach of Crew 2, the club's reserve side competing in MLS Next Pro. The dismissal followed two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female referee during a match: Higuain grabbed her hand and refused to release it despite three requests, while telling her "don't forget this is a man's game." He was sent off for the incident and received an initial two-match suspension, which the Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) called "drastically short" of an appropriate message. General manager Issa Tall said the club determined it was in the best interest of the club, players and support staff to dismiss Higuain, citing that his conduct did not meet the standards expected of a leader. Higuain, the older brother of former Juventus and Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain, had a career as an attacking midfielder in Argentina before playing for Columbus Crew, and later coached the club's reserve team. He has not made a public apology or comment on the situation.
How it was framed
Outlets: 18. Countries: 10. Facts in the shared core: 4.
Publication timeline
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Le Parisien (outlet profile)
« N’oublie pas que c’est un sport d’hommes » : le frère de Gonzalo Higuain limogé en MLS après des propos sexistes envers une arbitre
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La Nación (outlet profile)
Federico Higuaín fue despedido del filial del Columbus Crew por “sexismo y abuso físico” contra una árbitra. El club tomó la decisión luego de que el director técnico argentino recibiera una suspensión de dos partidos
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20 Minutes (outlet profile)
« Un sport d’hommes »… Un coach de MLS viré après une agression sexiste. Le club américain de football du Columbus Crew a licencié l’entraîneur Federico Higuain, auteur de propos sexistes et d’une intimidation envers un…
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Malay Mail (outlet profile)
MLS coach sacked after refusing to release female referee’s hand, calling football ‘a man’s game’. LOS ANGELES, Sept 23 — Columbus Crew sacked Argentine reserve team coach Federico Higuain for telling a female ref…
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RMC Sport (outlet profile)
"C'est un sport d'hommes", le frère de Gonzalo Higuain viré de sa franchise de MLS après des propos sexistes contre une arbitre. Federico Higuain, frère de l'ancien buteur du Real Madrid Gonzalo Higuain, a été viré par…
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Ouest-France (outlet profile)
« Il n’a présenté aucune excuse publique » : un entraîneur de MLS limogé après des propos sexistes envers une arbitre. Le club américain de football du Columbus Crew a annoncé mardi 22 septembre 2026, le licenciement de…
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La Repubblica (outlet profile)
"È uno sport da uomini", il fratello di Higuain esonerato per le frasi sessiste all’arbitra. Federico, fratello maggiore di Gonzalo, ex attaccante di Napoli e Juventus, allenava la squadra riserve del Columbus Crew, clu…
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The Independent (outlet profile)
Gonzalo Higuain’s brother sacked by MLS club after telling female referee ‘this is a man’s game’. Federico Higuain was suspended for two matches but the The Professional Soccer Referees Association said his punishment f…
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Kicker (outlet profile)
Higuain-Bruder wegen sexistischen Verhaltens entlassen. MLS-Klub Columbus Crew hat den Trainer seiner Reservemannschaft, Federico Higuain, entlassen. Dieser hatte sich geweigert, die Hand einer Schiedsrichterin loszulas…
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The Independent (outlet profile)
MLS club fires Gonzalo Higuain’s brother for sexist remark towards female referee
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www.rbc.ru (outlet profile)
Брата экс-звезды мадридского «Реала» уволили из клуба MLS за сексизм. Федерико Игуаин после очередного матча отказывался отпустить руку женщины-арбитра и сказал ей: «Не забывай, что это мужская игра»
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Channel NewsAsia (outlet profile)
Crew sack Higuain after accusation of sexism towards referee
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Clarín (outlet profile)
Despidieron de un equipo de la MLS al hermano de Higuaín por abuso físico y sexismo contra una árbitra: "Es un juego de hombres". La Asociación de Árbitros Profesionales de Estados Unidos emitió un comunicado para conta…
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GB News (outlet profile)
Football club sacks manager after telling female referee 'this is a man's game'. 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…
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CNews (outlet profile)
«C’est un sport d’hommes» : le frère de Gonzalo Higuain limogé par son club après des propos sexistes envers une arbitre. Federico Higuain, frère de Gonzalo, a été limogé de son poste d’entraîneur de l’équipe réserve du…
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O Globo (outlet profile)
Técnico irmão de Higuaín é demitido de time da MLS por comentário sexista contra árbitra: 'Isso é jogo de homens'. O técnico Federico Higuaín, irmão do ex-jogador argentino Gonzalo Higuaín, foi demitido do comando do ti…
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Morning Star (outlet profile)
MLS club sack coach after ‘this is a man’s game’ remark to female referee. MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER club Columbus Crew have sacked their reserve team coach after he allegedly grabbed a female referee’s hand and told her “don…
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Tanjug (outlet profile)
Argentinski trener Federiko Iguain dobio otkaz u Kolambusu zbog seksističkih uvreda
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La Nación (outlet profile)
Quién es Federico Higuaín, el DT despedido de una filial de Columbus Crew por “sexismo y abuso” contra una árbitra. A lo largo de su carrera futbolística, se desempeñó principalmente como mediocampista ofensivo; surgió…
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Metropoles (outlet profile)
Irmão de Higuaín é demitido de time da MLS após comentário sexista. Associação Profissional de Árbitros de Futebol (PSRA) afirmou que o treinador cometeu dois atos deliberados de abuso físico e sexismo
Factual core
- Federico Higuaín was dismissed from the Columbus Crew reserve team for sexism and physical abuse against a referee.
- Higuain told the female referee: 'Don't forget this is a man's game'.
- The incident occurred during an MLS Next Pro league match.
- The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio.