Simon was caught on camera abusing the referee on multiple occasions during the Mariners' 5-3 loss to Brisbane Roar last weekend.

One particularly foul-mouthed spray, after receiving a second yellow card on the 95th minute, drew the condemnation of the greater football community and resulted in an FFA sanction for the Coast's skipper.

“Having received a Code of Conduct notice from Football Federation Australia, it is now appropriate for me to confirm my intention to plead guilty to breaching the National Code of Conduct,” Simon said.

“I have used the recent days as an opportunity to reflect on my conduct on Friday evening. My outburst fell below the standards I set for myself and that, as captain, I set for my team-mates. For this, I apologise to the referee, Stephen Lucas, and have done so in writing. 

“Stephen deserves respect for his profession. Like players, referees aspire to reach the top of their craft and deserve support. I undermined this commitment last Friday night."

The striker lovingly termed 'The Wizard of Woy Woy' is renowned for his overt physicality and aggressive tactics.

But Simon admonished the standards he had set for his club and fans as the side's leader, and an undoubted fan favourite throughout two spells in Gosford.

“I take my role as Captain of my home town club seriously," Simon said.

"It is a great honour to represent the fans of Central Coast Mariners and the people of the Central Coast. 

“I have always taken great pride in pushing myself, my team-mates and even my opponents as hard as I can to achieve success on the field. I know I often run very close to the line, I like to think that I don’t cross it too often, having only received one red card across 12 years and almost 250 A-League matches.

“On Friday night however, I let the Mariners community down by crossing that line.

"As someone with a long-term commitment to the Central Coast and to Australian football, I can only ask for the opportunity to make amends for my actions and work even harder to make this club the success it deserves to be."