Football Coaches Australia (FCA) fired back on Friday, saying Rudan had explained his remarks to FFA's director of referees Ben Wilson and that the matter was considered closed.

A spokesperson for FCA acknowledged that the passion of coaches can occasionally spill over but said they were "very disappointed" to learn the referees intended to protest.

"FCA believes that such action is overtly provocative and serves to undermine respect, rather than foster it. It is also an unnecessarily immature act, expressly directed towards one of our members," the spokesperson said. "We urge the PFRA reconsider their stance and opt for a more proactive and considered position should they seek to build more productive relationships with the rest of the football community going forward.

"We acknowledge that relations between coaches and referees have been regularly strained in the A-League as a result of the competitive pressures placed on coaches and the difficult job of being a referee.

"We are firm believers that all stakeholders in the football community should increase their levels of respect towards referees. It is not only the responsibility of coaches, but players, administrators and fans alike.