For having a game of rock, paper and scissors to decide the kick-off! Referee David McNamara suspended for 'rock, paper, scissors' Unusual indeed - sure someone had a spare penny lying around... Could argue officials have done much worse and escaped any form of punishment.
I get why he was suspended, he did break the rules, but I think it was a good on-the-spot idea. Like you said, officials get away with way worse week in week out.
Utter d*ckhead. How difficult is it to run to the side of the pitch and ask for a coin? The worst refs are the one's that think it's all about them, it's not.
Think maybe it was just a bit disrespectful. Would he have done that in a men's professional match? I doubt it. Maybe he could have just held his whistle behind his back and got one of them to choose. Would seem the normal and sensible thing to do. Punishment bis harsh but I can see why some people may have an issue.
Must have been disappointing for the crowd to see what I assume is the normal way of deciding the winner in women's football matches over before kick-off.
I think the officials at the FA can consider they have done a great day's work. Rock, Paper Scissors has become one of the insidious practices creeping in to the modern game. Best to knock it on the head before it takes over.
Because it's not fair. Without VAR you could cheat by first doing paper, then quickly clench hand to do rock so you have 2 chances at winning.
Far from being punished I think the guy showed some quick thinking and initiatve, but I suppose putting his whistle in one hand behind his back and asking one captain to choose which hand it was in might have been better as someone else has already said. At the end of the day though a 3 week ban is crazy even if he technically contrevened the laws of the game, totally OTT he should not have been punished at all
It is amazing considering how many **** ups referees make up with ghost goals, cards awarded the wrong player or failing to spot a player taking their shirt off and asking afterwards did you that the FA decide to come down hard on an easy target. Yes there are rules. There is also common sense. Good to see most referees coming out in support of this official.
