A-League fans say they will return to the stands this weekend following guarantees from FFA on a number of issues.
Australia's football stadiums are set to swell again, with active supporter groups confirming they will temporarily stop boycotting A-League matches after a breakthrough meeting with Football Federation Australia (FFA).
FFA chief executive David Gallop emerged from a fiery four-hour discussion in Sydney late on Wednesday night to announce the governing body had agreed in principal to expansive reform of its unpopular stadium banning processes for fans.
Changes include replacing instant bans with "intention to ban" notices, allowing fans to view evidence against them and, if the ban is maintained, take their case to an independent panel.
Former Socceroos Captain Paul Wade said he is looking forward to giving the AFL and NRL a run for their money when it comes to fan turnout.
"The AFL and the NRL better look out because, you know what, we're back," he told SBS World News.
Spokesman for Sydney FC's The Cove, Grant Muir said he hopes the FFA follows through on what they have promised.
"The proof in the pudding is in the eating. They have to deliver on what they promised. We set aside our rivalries for something we felt was so important, that it mattered more than going to watch games."
The 198 spectators currently banned will also be allowed to appeal retrospectively using evidence, if it still exists.
The overhaul will fall under a review of FFA's long-time banning policy promised last week by new chairman Steven Lowy and to be finalised at the next board meeting in February.
Details were tabled during Wednesday night's unprecedented meeting attended by about 30 fans from across the 10 clubs along with Gallop, A-League head Damien De Bohun and three other FFA employees.
Also there was the meeting's organiser, former Socceroos goalkeeper and now Fox Sports pundit Mark Bosnich.
On Tuesday morning active supporter groups released a joint statement indicating that they were pleased to have negotiated a "fair and equitable system".
"It is on this basis, and provided of course, that the FFA formally implements these systems, that the RBB has agreed to temporarily suspend fan boycotts," Western Sydney's Red and Black Bloc's Facebook statement read.
They made it clear they would resume boycotts and hold FFA "accountable" if the agreed changes are not set in stone at the next board meeting.
However they were satisfied at the body's "unequivocal commitment" to defend football and its fans, an area in which they've felt grossly let down in recent weeks following News Corp Australia's outing of the leaked 198 banned-fans list.
At the meeting FFA also answered questions regarding their arrangements with third-party security service providers, including the highly controversial Hatamoto.
It's understood Hatamoto was a particularly sensitive topic, but that FFA now fully understand the depth of fan distrust towards the firm.
The fans' expected return was music to the ears of Sydney coach Graham Arnold, whose players endured a dead atmosphere at Allianz Stadium last week when The Cove was absent for their 1-0 win over Newcastle.
"Where does that leave the game now? I think it'll be healthier," Arnold said ahead of the Sky Blues' away clash with Adelaide on Friday night.
"It's taken probably 11 years for it to come to a head and sit down, speak about it and sort it out."
With the RBB and Melbourne Victory's North Terrace back in action, Parramatta's Pirtek Stadium should be heaving for Saturday's blockbuster between the table-topping Wanderers and second-placed Victory.
