FA Suspends Referee David McNamara After Rock, Paper, Scissors to Decide Ends

The FA has suspended referee David McNamara for three weeks after he used a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who kicked off in a Women's Super League match. 

Per the Mirror's Alex Richards, the official had forgotten to bring a coin from the dressing room for the traditional toss to decides ends, so he had Manchester City captain Steph Houghton and Reading counterpart Kirsty Pearce play the game instead.

He'll now serve a three-week suspension from November 26.

Per Richards, a spokesperson for the FA said McNamara has accepted a charge of "not acting in the best interests of the game" and that he will be free to officiate again from December 17.

A coin toss to determine the ends is required by the laws of the game, and McNamara breached those rules by failing to fulfil that obligation.

Sky Sports' Nick Grounds believes the punishment to be a little harsh:

However, the FA Women's refereeing manager, Joanna Stimpson, said of the incident:

"The referee forgot his coin and in that moment, in a TV game, he was really pushed for time. It was a moment of madness.

"He obviously thought it was the right thing to do, he probably walked away, or the second afterwards, thought it wasn't the right thing to do.

"It's not defendable. He should have been more prepared. He should have had a coin, but he didn't. It was disappointing, it's not appropriate. It's very unprofessional.

"The laws of the game state you toss a coin. I can't think it's something we are going to ignore. He wasn't taking the mick out of the game, it was just a really poor decision."

The match between City and Reading, which took place on October 26, finished in a 1-1 draw at the former's Academy Stadium.

McNamara has officiated since, and served as a fourth official in Chorley's 2-2 draw with Doncaster Rovers on Sunday when they met in the first round of the FA Cup.