In a controversial encounter in Christchurch on Sunday, Adelaide's Travis Dodd was given a straight red card by referee Peter O'Leary in the 84th minute while Herbert was sent to the stands during injury time after the official penalised his side a few metres while taking a throw in.

Herbert was absent from the technical area as Wellington's Ben Sigmund produced a late winner and the coach's actions have now seen him slapped with a three-match ban by the Match Review Panel.

"The MRP has the authority to consider the incident as the official was expelled from the match by the Referee," said release from the MRP on Monday.

"The MRP found that Ricki Herbert had used "...offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against a match official' - and has proposed a sanction of three matches."

The MRP found Herbert's words and actions severe enough to warrant a three-game suspension when a one-match ban is the minimum sanction for this charge.

Adelaide's pain at conceding an injury-time winner while down to 10 men was softened as the MRP confirmed it had rescinded the red card given to Dodd, leaving the skipper free to face North Queensland this week.

Dodd was dismissed when his leg accidently made contact with Vince Lia's head when he was trying to jump over the midfielder.

Dodd appealed the red card successfully, however, under the 'obvious error' provision in the rules.

"The MRP has the authority to consider the incident as the player was issued with a direct red card," said the release. "The MRP firstly considered an Obvious Error (Red Card) Application by the player.

"The Obvious Error Application was upheld and, accordingly, the red card is expunged from the record of the player and he is not required to serve a sanction."