Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert's three-match ban will stand after he lost his appeal yesterday.

The Phoenix boss was ejected from the touchline late in his side's dramatic 2-1 win over Adelaide United on Sunday for arguing with referee Peter O'Leary and given a three game ban.

The club decided to appeal that sanction but Football Federation Australia dismissed the plea for obvious error in sending Herbert from the technical area.

Wellington will now appeal the severity of the ban but at this stage, Hebert will be in the stands for this weekend's clash with Gold Coast United and then further fixtures against Newcastle Jets and North Queensland Fury.