Sources: Higuain at center of refs' union beef with MLS NEXT Pro

The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), the union that represents MLS and USL referees, launched a scathing critique of MLS NEXT Pro over its handling of an incident in which a coach of an MLS NEXT Pro team committed what it described as "two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female official."

Multiple sources told ESPN that the coach in question is Columbus Crew 2 manager Federico Higuain. 

In a social media post that didn't reference Higuain by name, the PSRA said that the acts consisted of squeezing the hand of the official "and refusing to let go after being told to stop three times." The post added: "This physical intimidation was compounded by a demeaning, sexist remark to the official, 'Don't forget that this is a man's game.'"

Multiple sources told ESPN that the incident occurred during the postgame handshake immediately following Crew 2's Aug. 23 match against Huntsville City FC. Higuain received a red card for the incident.

MLS NEXT Pro conducted an investigation, which resulted in Higuain being suspended for two games and ordered to take part in restorative practice training. A source added that Higuain has begun but not yet completed the training and has already served the two-game suspension.

At issue for the PSRA is that the punishments weren't severe enough. In its social media post, the PSRA said that U.S. Soccer policy mandates a minimum three-game suspension for a "forceful grab" and that acts of discrimination also require a minimum three-game suspension.

"The League's response falls drastically short of the right message to the participants, the referees, and the public. It needs to be reevaluated," the PSRA's social media post read.

In a statement to ESPN, MLS NEXT Pro said the league "immediately investigated the reported incident between the head coach and the female official. It was determined that the coach's behavior violated League policies and warranted additional discipline beyond the red card that was issued in the moment. He served a two-game suspension and is required to participate in a multi-session restorative practices process, which is already underway. The program is intended to support the League's efforts to foster understanding, accountability, respect, and the restoration of relationships across the League. MLS NEXT Pro believes in the restorative approach. The League is confident in its process and the results."

The Crew also sent the following statement to ESPN: "The Crew actively collaborated with MLS NEXT Pro throughout the review process and fully accepted the additional discipline issued in accordance with league policies.

"Our Club is dedicated to growing the game by creating environments where everyone is welcome and supported on and off the pitch, which is founded upon our values of respect, inclusivity and prioritizing people and culture first. We condemn any action or notion that contradicts our mission of uniting and uplifting all communities and genders through the global game."

The U.S. Soccer Policy manual was modified in February of 2026 as it relates to Policy 202-2 "Gross Misconduct Against Match Officials". In the latest version, subsection 6.a of the policy states "The non-exhaustive list of minimum suspensions and corresponding criteria outlined in each category shall guide decision-making," giving MLS NEXT Pro some discretion in terms of suspension length.

The revised policy also lists levels of severity in terms of misconduct against match officials; low, medium-minus, medium, medium-plus and high. The policy goes on to list nine criteria -- including type of level of behavior, speed of the behavior and duration -- that influence the level of misconduct and length of a suspension.

In terms of minimum suspension length, subsection 6.a.2.a states that "An Offender shall be suspended for a minimum of two (2) regular season/playoff matches if force or attempted force is deemed low, short in duration, and supported by other mitigating factors." Gross misconduct deemed to be of medium or medium plus force "shall result in a minimum Suspension of three (3) regular season/playoff matches."

The revised policy added that "a forceful grab," which is how the PSRA described the action in question, is considered to be "medium force or higher" which would warrant a three-game suspension. It also states that engaging in discriminatory conduct directed at a match official "based upon sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion or other legally-protected characteristics" will result in a minimum suspension of two games.

An MLS NEXT Pro spokesperson confirmed that Higuain was suspended for just one additional game, as the policy allows for the red card to count towards the total suspension. The same spokesperson wasn't able to answer the question of why Higuain's actions didn't constitute a forceful grab.

Caleb Pongratz of Spotrac was the first to report that Higuain was the coach involved in the incident.