COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Crew 2 coach Federico Higuain was suspended for two games after an alleged confrontation with a female referee during an Aug. 23 match against Huntsville City FC, prompting the Professional Soccer Referees Association to call for a longer penalty. The association said Sunday that a male coach — whom it did not identify — committed “two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female official.” According to the group, the coach squeezed the referee’s hand and continued holding it after she told him three times to stop. The incident also included a comment that the official should not forget that “this is a man’s game,” according to the allegations surrounding the case. Major League Soccer and the Crew did not name the coach in their public statements, but multiple reports identified him as Higuain. MLS said Higuain was shown a red card during the interaction and later received the two-game suspension. He was also required to take part in a multi-session restorative-practices program, which the league said was already underway. The referees’ association said the punishment did not meet the minimum required under U.S. Soccer policy. It said a forceful grab and acts of discrimination each fall under provisions requiring at least a three-game suspension, and urged MLS to review the decision. “Women make every level of this game better,” the association said. “They should not have to endure intimidation or degrading comments to prove it.” The group also said female officials deserve the same respect, dignity and safe working conditions as other officials. The Crew said it condemns “any action or notion that contradicts our mission of uniting and uplifting all communities and genders through the global game.” Higuain, 41, is from Argentina and became Crew 2’s coach in 2025. He played for the Columbus Crew from 2012 through 2019 and ranks seventh in club appearances, fourth in goals and second in assists. He later played for D.C. United and Inter Miami before signing a one-day contract with Columbus in 2022 to retire as a member of the Crew. Crew 2 completed its regular season Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Carolina at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The team finished fourth in the Eastern Conference of MLS Next Pro, with the playoffs scheduled to begin in October.