Brad Scott could learn his AFL punishment by Tuesday afternoon, with the embarrassed North Melbourne coach saying the penalty is entirely up to the league.

Scott apologised unreservedly on Monday for his blunder, saying no-one else at North was to blame.

He claimed after Friday night’s narrow loss to Hawthorn that umpires had told North Melbourne during the match that they did not pay high free kicks to Lindsay Thomas because he was a ducker.

Within 12 hours, it emerged the claim was entirely wrong and the Kangaroos quickly issued an apology.

But the damage was done and Scott is bracing for a heavy penalty.

Scott admitted to embarrassment and also conceded he made a second mistake by talking about the claim publicly, rather than raising it in private first with AFL officials.

The more likely outcome is a hefty fine, but there has been speculation the AFL could suspend Scott.

“That (penalty) is not for me to talk about – I’m here to issue a public apology and whatever the AFL feel is an appropriate sanction, then I will accept,” Scott said.

Scott was issued with a formal please explain from the AFL on Monday.

He and other North officials will meet with the AFL on Tuesday to explain what went wrong.

“I was given information on the way in (to his post-game media conference) … that I believed to be matter of fact, not rumour or innuendo,” Scott said.

“It came from a trusted source.

“I was then asked a direct question in the press conference, to which I answered openly and honestly.

“Clearly, 12 hours later, after an investigation by the club, that statement of fact had in fact turned out to be completely incorrect and lacked any factual basis.”