Auckland FC coach Steve Corica says he might have to watch Sunday’s crucial A-League clash against the Central Coast Mariners with The Port after receiving a one-game ban for abuse of match officials, which he claims was a misunderstanding.

Corica was issued with a red card in the 88th minute in his side’s come-from-behind 2-2 draw with the Melbourne Victory last weekend, with the A-League’s match review panel saying he used “offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures”.

While it wasn’t initially clear what led to the red card being given, footage showed Corica being very vocal towards the fourth official, Ben Abraham, as he walked to the sheds.

Corica claims two clear fouls weren’t given to his side, which led to him getting quite frustrated, including one on Lachlan Brook – who had earlier levelled the match with a stunning long-range free kick – on the edge of the 18-yard box.

“The toblerone was next to me, the foam thing, and I just kicked that away,” Corica said. ”There was a ball there as well that I kicked away and I think the fourth official thought I was kicking it at him, which I wasn’t.

“That was it. Probably could have dealt with it a bit better, but if he thinks it was at him, it wasn’t, so just got to make that clear.”

The result is a one-game suspension, the minimum sanction for the offence and that means Corica, 53, won’t be allowed to interact with the team during the match or be on the sidelines.

Auckland FC's coach Steve Corica (left) and assistant coach Danny Hay. Photo / Photosport

Assistant Danny Hay is expected to be at the helm against the Mariners.

“I’ll be somewhere,” Corica said. “I’m not allowed in the change room for a couple of hours obviously, so I’ll just stay away and try and find the best quiet spot.

“Maybe [I’ll] join The Port if we’re winning.”

Corica said director of football Terry McFlynn and chief executive Nick Becker spoke to the match officials after the game and Corica said they acknowledged a foul should have been given.

“They admitted that it probably should have been a foul, so I was right,” Corica said. “I probably shouldn’t have got a red card and then we’re all happy.”

Auckland are second in the A-League standings, three points behind leaders the Newcastle Jets, with just two games remaining in the regular season.

After the clash against the Mariners, fans will be invited on to the pitch to celebrate the end of the regular season, weather permitting.

Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.