Federico Higuain, former Crew star and now coach of Crew2, got slapped with a two-game suspension. But here’s the kicker: it was for an incident where he allegedly squeezed a female official’s hand and told her, “Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.” Yeah, you read that right.
The ‘Man’s Game’ Incident That Sparked Outrage
This whole mess blew up after an August 23 game against Huntsville City FC. Details emerged that during the game, a “male coach” , later confirmed to be Higuain himself , grabbed a female official’s hand. Not just a handshake, mind you. He squeezed it and wouldn’t let go, even after she told him to stop three times. Then, if that wasn’t enough, he allegedly hit her with the line, “Don’t forget, this is a man’s game.” The Professional Soccer Referees Association didn’t mince words, calling it “demeaning” and “sexist.” Higuain already served his two-game suspension, missing matches against Chicago Fire II and Philadelphia Union II. Done, right? Not even close.
Why the League’s Punishment Isn’t Cutting It
The Professional Soccer Referees Association is absolutely fuming, and honestly, who can blame them? They took to Twitter/X to call out MLS NEXT Pro directly. Why? Because U.S. Soccer policy says a “forceful grab” like this needs at least a three-game suspension. And guess what? “Acts of discrimination” also require a minimum three-game ban. Oh, and here’s the best part: MLS NEXT Pro’s own manual states coaches are held to a “higher professional standard than players.” Two games for all that? It feels like a slap on the wrist, not a real consequence. MLS NEXT Pro put out a statement saying they investigated and Higuain’s behavior violated policies, requiring additional discipline beyond the red card. He’s also gotta go through some “multi-session restorative practices process.” The Crew even chimed in, saying they collaborated and fully accepted the discipline, all while talking about inclusivity and respect. Talk is cheap, though, when the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.
Higuain, who was named Crew2’s coach back on January 29, 2025, after officially retiring as a Crew player in 2022, might think this is behind him. But the PRSA isn’t backing down, and this whole situation raises serious questions about how MLS NEXT Pro enforces its own rules and protects its officials. What does this “restorative practices process” even mean if the initial punishment is so light? It feels like the league is prioritizing a quick fix over truly upholding the standards it claims to believe in. This isn’t just about one incident, it’s about the message it sends to every official out there.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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