Preston rock, paper, scissors referee appeals suspension as other officials show support

Preston referee David McNamara is to appeal his suspension for using rock, paper, scissors instead of a coin toss at the start of a Women's Premier League match.
Preston referee David McNamaraPreston referee David McNamara
Preston referee David McNamara
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The Football Association has suspended him for three weeks, the ban set to begin on November 26 and run to December 16.

He has gained widespread support since the story emerged however with some officials even using rock, paper, scissors ahead of their games at the weekend in a show of support.

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Charity Ref Support UK have now released a statement indicating that McNamara wants his 21-day ban to be reconsidered.

“We believe the punishment to be disproportionate and think it should be rescinded and reduced to a written warning,” it read.

“David would also like to take this opportunity to place on record his appreciation of the tremendous messages of support from his refereeing colleagues around the world.

“We hope the Football Association judicial services department agree with us that the punishment is unjust disproportionate.”

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The FA's women's refereeing manager Joanna Stimpson said McNamara's mistake was a 'moment of madness' but the suspension for the level 2b referee has been described as being 'draconian' by former referees chief Keith Hackett.

Hackett, who refereed the 100th FA Cup final and is the former general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, backed McNamara on Twitter.

He wrote: "The question is who at the Football Association took the decision to suspend a young referee who made the mistake of forgetting his coin?

"A three-week suspension is draconian.

"A player who gets a three-man ban can be back playing in 7/10 days."