COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Crew has dismissed Federico Higuain as coach of Crew 2 following an alleged confrontation with a female official during an Aug. 23 match against Huntsville City FC. The Crew said Tuesday that the decision followed conversations with Higuain and an assessment of his conduct over the past month. General Manager Issa Tall said the club concluded that Higuain no longer met the standards expected of a leader. “We determined it’s in the best interest of our Club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities,” Tall said in a statement. According to MLS NEXT Pro, Higuain received a red card after allegedly squeezing the official’s hand and refusing to release it after she told him three times to stop. He also allegedly told her, “Don’t forget, this is a man’s sport.” MLS NEXT Pro initially suspended Higuain for two games and required him to take part in a multi-session restorative-practices program. The program was already underway, the league said. The Professional Soccer Referees Association criticized the length of the suspension in a statement posted Sunday. The association said U.S. Soccer policy calls for at least a three-game suspension for a forceful grab and for acts of discrimination, and urged the league to reconsider the punishment. The Nordecke, Columbus’ independent supporters group, also condemned the alleged conduct. The group said Higuain’s actions and remarks disregarded women in the Columbus soccer community and placed an unfair burden on women to prove they belong in the sport. Crew 2’s technical staff will take on additional responsibilities as the team prepares for the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, which begin in mid-October. The club did not immediately announce a permanent replacement. Higuain, 41, remains a prominent figure in Crew history. He played eight seasons for Columbus and helped lead the club to the 2015 Eastern Conference title. The Crew hired him to coach Crew 2 at the start of 2025. The allegations and disciplinary decisions described by the club and league do not establish a criminal finding. No criminal charges were mentioned in the team’s announcement.