‘Rock’ ref cops ban
FROM BACK PAGE room, and rather than return to get it, opted for the game to decide ends and who would kick-off the televised match.
McNamara accepted a charge of “not acting in the best interests of the game”, but has the right to appeal the decision that will rule him out until Monday December 17.
Earlier this month, FA women’s refereeing manager Joanna Stimpson said: “It’s not defendable.
“He should have been more prepared, should have had a coin, but didn’t.
“It was disappointing, it’s not appropriate, it’s very unprofessional.”
England women’s skipper Houghton was one of the captains, along with Reading’s Kirsty Pearce, with the incident leaving the 1,015 in attendance at City’s Academy Stadium baffled.
An FA spokesman said: “The FA can confirm that referee David McNamara has been suspended for 21 days, starting from Monday 26 November.”