The widely despised National Club Identity Policy was introduced in 2014 to eliminate ethnic, national, political, religious and racial links to all clubs' names and emblems.
But it has been under fire of late, with Italian-backed Charlestown City Blues, who play in the Northern NSW premier league, threatening to take the governing body to the Australian Human Rights Commission after being forced to abandon their original name, Azzurri (The Blues).
They insist they’re willing to take the case to the Supreme Court, if need be.
In another case which attracted widespread ridicule over perceived pettiness and intransigence, FFA Cup quarter-finalists Avondale were compelled to cover a tiny Italian flag at the back of their jerseys before their round of 32 tie with Marconi.
The Charlestown and Avondale instances marked the final straw, with the FIFA-recognised AAFC - which represents 126 NPL clubs and is championing the cause of a national second division - informing FFA on Monday they would be supporting Charlestown in their bid to have the policy quashed.
It’s understood that on Tuesday FFA wrote to the nine state member federations declaring their intention to “review” the policy and asking for their feedback.
The expectation is that it will be struck off the books without undue delay.
The FFA are on Friday expected to formally announce their change of heart over a policy seen as out of step with Australia’s celebration of its multi-cultural identity and background.
Its many critics simply saw it as another manifestation of the one-time mantra from Head Office embracing “new football” while distancing itself from “old soccer”.
