The new policy no longer makes it a sanctionable offence for Australian clubs to celebrate their history and include traditional flags, designs and names in their club identity.

The FFA policy - still to be ratified - warns clubs they still need to abide by both FIFA rules and Australian government's discrimination laws.

And they still recommend to anglify identities wherever possible to appeal to the widest cross-section of the community, they say.

But these are now just recommendations and suggestions rather than rules.

Revoking the NCIP will bring an end to years of disharmony following its introduction which outlawed any new references to a club's ethnic origins or history.

Its implementation coincided with the launch of the FFA Cup and immediately sparked a confrontation when Melbourne Knights tried to have Melbourne Croatia Social Club as their front of shirt sponsor for their cup tie, and were immediately blocked by the FFA under the NCIP.

It peaked when Avondale FC were forced to take to the pitch with black tape masking tiny Italian flags on the back neckline of their shirts in another FFA Cup game, sparking uproar among fans of all loyalties.

   READ THE WHOLE DRAFT POLICY HERE   

The new draft policy adds: "Football in Australia has a rich and diverse history which FFA wishes to acknowledge and celebrate.

"Many clubs were formed and have developed from particular local communities who have made significant contributions to the growth and reputation of the sport of football as a whole.

"These communities are reflective of the multicultural nature of Australia and the vast reach of the love for the “World Game”.

"FFA celebrates diversity and multiculturalism in our game and wants to ensure that football in Australia is open, accessible and embracing of all participants from all cultural backgrounds.

"Every person should feel welcome, safe and included at their local football club.

"FFA acknowledges the desire of clubs to respectfully recognise their heritage and the specific communities that were instrumental in establishing and developing such clubs."

It adds: "These Inclusivity Principles for Club Identity are not intended to be enforceable, strict regulations.

"Rather, they are guiding principles for clubs to refer to in seeking to be inclusive to people from all cultural backgrounds."

Earlier this year as the policy was being put together, FFA board director tweeted that "...the NCIP is dead."

Melbourne Knights club president Pave Jusup today hailed the new policy as a major step forward.

"Just saw a draft of FFA's new Diversity and Inclusion policy which will replace the NCIP," he tweeted today.

"Have to say that if it is applied as is, Joseph Carrozzi was correct in saying that the NCIP will be repealed. Well done FFA.

"The document is similar to the NCIP, however they are recommendations and not rules. Gives clubs the freedom to reflect what they are about whilst allowing FFA the scope to say, this is what we think is best, without ramming it down your throat."