But they stopped short of dropping the rules completely and simply say that it will be replaced by a new policy which will be more sympathetic to clubs and fans.

THE NCID policy banned clubs from adding any foreign colours, emblems or flags to their kits and was instantly branded racist by fans of the nation's traditional clubs.

It led to the the ridiculous situation in the last FFA Cup where Avondale FC were made to take to the field with black masking tape over the back of their colour to hide a tiny Italian flag.

Melbourne Knights were also banned from having their FFA Cup shirt sponsored by Melbourne Croatia social club under the policy.

Fans said they were infuriated by the FFA's attempts to whitewash Australia's past by ignoring the role of so-called ethnic clubs which kept the sport alive for decades, and to apparently even try to shame them for their immigrant past that needed to be literally covered up.

The policy has been under review for months and today the FFA confirmed they would be scrapping the existing rules.

But they warned they would be bringing in a new policy in its place – but vowed to make it embrace the wider football community this time.

CEO David Gallop said the review, which included consultation with clubs, state federations, the PFA, the Association of Australian Football Clubs and more than 700 submissions from the football community, found support for change.

“Over the past three months, we have spoken to a cross section of the football community and it was clear that the majority of our stakeholders felt it was important we acknowledged the contribution many communities across Australia have made to their clubs, whilst still promoting inclusion and diversity,” he said.

FFA Chairman Chris Nikou said the Board of Directors, at its recent meeting made the in-principle decision to replace the existing NCIP with a new Diversity and Inclusion Policy

An FFA statement said the new policy will be "...built on some core principles and strike a balance between a number of elements including:

"The importance of football embracing the wider community and of clubs, as the lifeblood and shopfront of the game, being accessible, embracing and truly representative of their geographical regions

"Recognition of the heritage of clubs and the significant contribution of particular communities within the broader community to the development of individual clubs and the game as a whole

"The state of maturity of the game and its clubs and the importance of clubs reflecting the face of modern Australia

"The imperative for football as a game and its clubs more specifically to meet community standards and expectations, commit to and enact values based on tolerance, openness, diversity and inclusion

"The need for appropriate measures to ensure commitment by all parties to upholding these shared standards and values."

FFA chairman Chris Nikou said the FFA would also undertake further consultation with key experts in the fields of diversity and inclusion before finalising the changes.

He added: “It is important the new policy considers where and how to strike the appropriate balance between promoting openness, inclusivity and diversity on the one hand whilst providing clubs the opportunity to recognise their history and the communities that have contributed to their development on the other."