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Referee David McNamara suspended by FA over rock, paper, scissors controversy

Steph Houghton of Manchester City Women
Image: Steph Houghton was involved as referee David McNamara forgot his coin and asked captains to play rock, paper, scissors

Referee David McNamara has been suspended for 21 days by the FA after asking captains to play rock, paper, scissors, after forgetting his coin.

The incident occurred ahead of the Women's Super League game between Manchester City and Reading on October 26, and involved England captain Steph Houghton.

After forgetting his coin for the toss prior to kick-off, McNamara permitted the captains to play rock, paper, scissors, in order to determine playing ends and kick off.

An FA spokesman said: "The FA can confirm that referee David McNamara has been suspended for 21 days, starting from Monday 26th November, after accepting a charge of 'not acting in the best interests of the game.

"This follows an incident in the WSL match between Manchester City and Reading on Friday 26th October when he failed to determine which team would kick off the match by the toss of a coin, as required by the Laws of the game.

"McNamara will return to duty from Monday 17th December."

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