Crew sack Higuain after accusation of sexism towards referee

Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew dismissed reserve team coach Federico Higuain on Tuesday after an accusation of sexism towards a female referee.

"Don't forget, this is a man's game," was the offensive remark made, according to The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA).

Higuain, the brother of former Argentina international Gonzalo Higuain, was sent off and handed a two-match suspension following the altercation at an August 23 game.

"We determined it's in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities," Columbus Crew General Manager Issa Tall said in a statement.

"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 incident occurred during a match in MLS NEXT Pro, the developmental league affiliated with MLS.

Without naming him, the referees' association said a male head coach squeezed a female official's hand and refused to let go after she told him to stop, before making the sexist remark.

Columbus Crew added that the club collaborated with the review process and has accepted the decision.

"The Crew actively collaborated with MLS NEXT Pro throughout the review process and fully accepted the additional discipline issued in accordance with league policies," a club spokesperson said in a response to a query from Reuters.

"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."

Higuain has not yet commented on the accusation and his sacking.

The 41-year-old attacker played in Argentina, Turkey and Mexico before joining Columbus Crew where he made more than 200 appearances.

The referees' union criticised the initial two-match suspension as insufficient and called for a harsher sanction, saying female officials should not have to endure intimidation or discriminatory comments in the workplace.