A Crew legend intimidated a female ref — fans want him fired
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Legendary Crew player Federico Higuaín has been the Crew 2 head coach since January 2025. Photo: Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/ via Getty Images
Crew fans on social media are calling for the firing of legendary Crew player-turned-coach Federico Higuaín, who is accused of grabbing a female official and making a sexist comment.
Why it matters: Higuaín, the head coach of Crew 2, the club's developmental team, is one of the most recognizable and popular players in Crew history, making the backlash notable.
Driving the news: The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) released a statement Sunday detailing an allegation that an unnamed coach grabbed a female official's hand and refused to let go after being told three times to stop.
- The statement says he then said, "Don't forget, this is a man's game."
- The league says in a statement it investigated the incident, issued a two-game suspension and required a "multi-session restorative practices process."
Zoom in: The Crew confirmed to Axios on Monday that Higuaín is the unnamed coach. He was red-carded for the incident after the Aug. 23 match against Huntsville City FC.
- The team shared a statement noting it "actively collaborated with MLS NEXT Pro throughout the review process" and "fully accepted" the punishment.
Women have refereed MLS games for decades and have regularly served as head referees since 2020.
- MLS Next Pro is an affiliated developmental league.
Yes, but: Until PSRA's announcement, the Crew never publicly acknowledged the incident or Higuaín's suspension. He's since returned to the sideline.
- Crew spokesperson Rob McBurnett said the team has no other comment and declined to answer questions.
- The team statement says it condemns "any action or notion that contradicts our mission of uniting and uplifting all communities and genders."
Friction point: In that case, many fans wonder why Higuaín is still employed by the organization. The two-game suspension is just one more match than the minimum punishment for a typical red card.
- A Crew 2 supporter group says Higuaín "must no longer be associated with the Crew organization in any capacity."
- Fans on Reddit, X, and Bluesky are calling for the firing of the once-beloved former player.
The bottom line: With an expansion National Women's Soccer League team on the horizon, the Crew organization is courting a female audience more than ever before.
- The idea that soccer is "a man's game" has not gone over well.