Football news - WSL referee suspended as ‘rock, paper, scissors’ replaces coin toss

But you wouldn’t expect it from a qualified EFL referee overseeing a Women’s Super League match. That was the misfortune that befell David McNamara last month when he was the man in the middle for Manchester City’s home match with Reading.

McNamara had left his favourite coin in the dressing room on October 26, meaning he had to think of something imaginative.

England and City captain Steph Houghton and Reading skipper Kirsty Pearce watched on in the centre circle as the cogs turned in McNamara’s head before he landed on a solution. He wasn’t going to grab a blade of grass and place it in one hand behind his back. That would be far too unprofessional.

What would do the trick was a game of ‘rock, paper, scissors’. The story has been widely reported without anyone knowing who won the contest to decide their ends and who would take kick-off.

McNamara – who predominantly officiates matches at National League North level – has now been suspended by the FA for 21 days after failing to carry out the all-important coin toss, which is a laws of the game requirement.

Joanna Stimpson, the FA’s women’s refereeing manager, said: “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.”

McNamara’s suspension will last until December 16, but he has the right to appeal the decision.