The goalkeeper great turned football pundit, took to social media to defend the Lowy family’s contribution to the game after many stakeholders welcomed a change at the helm.

Schwarzer jousted with fans on Twitter - many of whom backed the overhaul - and warned of a foreign takeover.

“I personally believe this is a very sad day for Australian Football,” 45-year-old tweeted.

“I know the Lowy family and know that they have only ever had the best interests of our wonderful game at heart. What the Lowy family have done for our game in our country should never ever be underestimated!”

Schwarzer added: “I’m afraid that the people who want to take control of the A League don’t have the game’s best interest at heart. All they care about is like in the old days, their own personal interests. My understanding is the League will fall into the hands of foreign control.”

Steven Lowy quits FFA

Lowy's quit ploy to put pressure on FFA reforms

Lowy announced he was standing down as the ongoing row over reforming football’s administration to enable broader representation grows increasingly ugly.

The Lowy family has run the FFA since it emerged from the ashes of Soccer Australia in 2004, led by Steven's billionaire father Frank Lowy.

But the decision to hand control of the federation from father and son was seen my many stakeholders as a sign of dynastic rule.

Schwarzer said it was “too easy” to lay all the blame for the game’s current woes at the feet of the FFA and to one tweeter who asked if he was swayed by his personal relationship with the Lowys Australia's most-capped player added: “No because I’ve seen firsthand how much they care for the game and how much they sacrifice for it.”