Columbus Crew sack coach over sexist referee remark

A reserve team coach is out after refusing to release a female referee's hand and telling her this is a man's game.

What happened. Columbus Crew dismissed reserve team coach Federico Higuain after he refused to let go of a female referee's hand and told her "don't forget this is a man's game". He was sent off and handed a two-match suspension over the incident in an MLS Next Pro match.

• Crew GM Issa Tall said club standards for a leader were not met.
• Higuain is the brother of former Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.
• The referees' union called the two-game ban drastically short.

“Don't forget, this is a man's game.”

— Federico Higuain

The referees' union wants a stronger response, arguing the punishment falls short of the conduct.

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Columbus Crew

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