The two main votes today were for a new constitution. That required the backing of a minimum of 75 percent of the congress and has been the stumbling block up to now.

To get 75% of the vote meant no more than two of the state federations could object to the proposal, and until now the FFA board, led by chairman Steven Lowy, has been able to keep at least three state or territory federations onside.

Over the weekend, however, the rebel group - led by the A-League clubs – finally persuaded all the state federations to back them.

When it came to the final vote, two still opposed the change - believed to be Football NT and one other – but eight still accepted the changes and it was carried.

The FFA board were continuing to oppose the changes right up until the final vote, demanding proof that the signatures on a statement issued over the weekend that backed the proposals were real.

Lowy even gave an impassioned last minute speech to the Congress begging them to keep talking about change with FIFA and AFC, but it was too late.

CONSTITUTION

The new constitution is the process of lengthy deliberations and negotiations with top sports lawyers who are convinced it is a watertight framework for the future of Australian football.

It opens up congress to four stakeholder groups, with the main focus still on grassroots via the state federations who will retain 55% of the total vote.

Players, A-League clubs and women's football will share the remaining 45% of the vote, which means they will still need the backing of at least some of the state federations to implement any changes.

And major constitutional change will still require 75% backing of the congress.

In reality it means the A-League clubs cannot cause significant change without at least some grassroots support and cannot change the constitution without a majority of grassroots support.

But it does mean A-League clubs can block any further constitutional change proposed by the state federations.

It also opens up a multi-year pathway for other special interest groups like fans to get a place in Congress, if they can prove their stability and commitment over a lengthy induction period.