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In response to McNamara's suspension, BBC Sport reports that hundreds of referees have risked sanctions and used rock, paper, scissors instead of a coin toss to support their colleague.

One referee, Ryan Hampson, told BBC Sport: "A lot of us were thinking of David.

"We wanted to show solidarity.

"Without me saying a word, four players came up to me and said 'are we getting on the rock, paper, scissors today?' as they had seen coverage of the issue."

Many referees have posted video and pictures of rock, paper, scissors being used instead of the coin toss on social media.

Here I am getting ready to referee the Kieran Marshall Memorial game between Robin Hood v FC Armley. Both captains taking part in Rock, Paper, Scissors in support of a colleague who has being banned for 3 weeks for thinking on his feet! FT Robin Hood 5 v FC Armley 12! pic.twitter.com/JWh6Nij8Up

— Anthony Mc Laughlin (@Horsebox2009) November 18, 2018

ask Dermott for his thoughts on amateur referee David McNamara, and the rock paper scissors 21 day ban fiasco, I forgot something at my game am I in trouble ?#faareajoke pic.twitter.com/zUUcwkEw7p

— mick leadbeater (@mickyled) November 19, 2018

For David McNamara. #rockpaperscissors pic.twitter.com/Orfp3i4Cft

— Ian Day (@Ianday50) November 18, 2018

Ref Support UK, a British charity that represents the best interests of referees, said in a statement last week that the suspension imposed on McNamara was "in our opinion a disproportionate punishment for this offence."

We believe it was correct to charge Mr McNamara with the offence under law however, we feel a letter of advice would have been more appropriate than a suspension.

This punishment could result in Mr McNamara missing ten (10) games of the season which is the equivalent to the punishment Luis Suarez received for biting an opponent.

Ref Support UK also confirmed on Saturday that McNamara had appealed his ban from the FA.

"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," a statement read.

Rugby ref Nigel Owens was among the high-profile names to support of McNamara, saying a "bit of common sense is needed".

A bit of common sense is needed surely. If both captains were happy to do it then why not. I did it with Blues v Ospreys and NZ v Barbarians on the request of the captain's. I obliged as a bit of fun is whats needed sometimes. Life is to short smile & have fun. #WorldsGoingMad https://t.co/0NAzI7muwZ

— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) November 14, 2018