Wednesday 14 November 2018 11:19, UK
Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes has described the standard of refereeing in women's football as an embarrassment.
Her comments came in response to referee David McNamara asking the Manchester City and Reading captains to play rock, paper, scissors, after forgetting his coin in a Women's Super League game on October 26.
McNamara has been suspended by the FA for 21 days after accepting a charge of 'not acting in the best interests of the game'.
Hayes told Sky Sports News: "That just about sums up the quality of refereeing involved in our game, the fact they don't bring a coin.
"That basic level of professionalism needs to be in place. I think it's an embarrassment.
"I know that the FA are working hard to address that, but I think until the FA are in a position to make decisions and not have to go through quite an aged process through the board, I think we'll see more and more progress in the women's game, once the governing process changes.
"It's something the players spoke about and were asked what they thought about it.
"When it's live on television and you're trying to pitch the sport in a certain way, it's not ideal and I hope that those officials have been reprimanded in a serious manner, much in the same way a player would if they conducted themselves in an unprofessional manner."
England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton was among the players involved in the rock, paper scissors controversy.
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 25th 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."
Emma Hayes was speaking to Sky Sports News at the 'Leaders in Sport' event hosted by Team Sky's Sir Dave Brailsford.
