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PSRA Demands Longer Ban For Coach’s Sexist Handshake
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- PSRA Demands Longer Ban For Coach’s Sexist Handshake
Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
A head coach in the lower pro league got a slap on the wrist for telling a female referee that soccer "is a man's game." The referees' union says this leniency sends a terrible message to every woman working on the field. A two-game suspension is simply not enough for behavior that crosses the line from bad sportsmanship into abuse.
The Facts Behind the Handshake
According to Yahoo Sports , the incident happened on August 23 during a match between Columbus Crew 2 and Huntsville City FC. Federico Higuaín, the former Crew star now leading the second-tier team, allegedly grabbed a female official's hand and refused to let go. He did this after being told to stop three separate times. The union states this physical intimidation was made worse by his demeaning comment: "Don't forget, this is a man's game."
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Instead, he was handed down a two-game ban. The league stated they "immediately investigated the reported incident" and decided the behavior warranted additional discipline beyond the red card issued during the game. Higuaín also has to complete a "multi-session restorative practice" training course.
Why A Short Ban Fails Everyone
This situation goes beyond a simple rule violation. It touches on the safety and dignity of women in sports. When a man uses physical force to silence a woman, that is not a coaching mistake. It is a failure of character that requires a stronger penalty. The league's confidence in their process does not change the reality of what happened. A two-game suspension feels like a vacation for a coach who committed deliberate acts of abuse.
Higuaín's own team, the Columbus Crew, has stepped up to say they "actively collaborated with MLS NEXT Pro throughout the review process and fully accepted the additional discipline issued in accordance with league policies." They claim to value inclusivity, yet the punishment seems too light to match their words. If a club truly wants to create an environment where everyone is welcome, they must support harsher consequences for those who break that trust.
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This shows that the community sees the severity of the offense. A coach who tells a woman to remember her place in a "man's game" cannot be a role model. The league needs to listen to the people who actually play and officiate the sport.
The Path Forward for the League
The league says it is "confident" in its training program, which was created to foster respect. However, Higuaín has started the training but has not yet finished it. The clock is ticking, but the damage to the reputation of the league has already been done. The referees on the field deserve a safe working environment, not just a promise that things will get better later.
The PSRA made it clear that women make every level of the game better. They should not have to endure intimidation to prove their worth. The union stated that their female officials have proven their excellence on the world stage.
