A-LEAGUE chiefs are set to perform a sensational backflip and freeze a ruling to reduce visa spots for next season.

But Football Federation Australia will stop short of adding the ‘Asian player rule’ that has been adopted in most domestic leagues across the continent.

A-League clubs were told months ago by FFA that they would only have a quota for four foreigners from the 2015-16 season.

However the Sunday Herald-Sun understands that the FFA board will vote to postpone plans to reduce the visa quota from five to four, as recommended by previous technical director Han Berger.

Uncontracted visa stars and clubs, such as Fahid Ben Khalfallah (Melbourne Victory), Marcelo Carrusa, Isaias Sanchez (Adelaide United), will be breathing a sigh of relief.

A-League clubs and the players’ union have been unanimous and vociferous in their protestations against the cut.

It’s also believes that the new FFA technical department, including Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, support the freeze.

The FFA board will meet later this week to ratify a moratorium on the visa reduction.

Belgian Abrams refused to comment on specifics, but said that Belgium’s top tier struck a good balance.

“In Belgium there are more foreigners then in the A-League, but the top division has never been more popular. Young local players are still getting a chance and the national team is very strong,’’ Abrams said.

FFA’s likely decision not to adopt the Asian player rule (widely known as the ‘+1 rule’) will disappoint many, with many viewing this as a chance to secure an Asian Cup legacy for the A-League.

A handful of Asian Cup players have declared their interest in moving to Australia, including Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud, UAE razzler Omar Abdulrahman and skiful Uzbekistani captain Server Djeparov.

Some A-League clubs have declared that Asian players are “too expensive”, but Asian champions Western Sydney Wanderers have just secured Japanese duo Yojiro Takahagi, who won two caps with Samurai Blue in 2013, and Yusuke Tanaka.

Australia’s immigrant and football community have flocked to Asian Cup games, with crowds already breaking the total crowd record of 421,000 held by Qatar in 2011.

Almost 500,000 have gone through Asian Cup turnstiles, with the total Asian Cup attendances expected to break 600,000, and push the 650,000 mark if the Socceroos reach Saturday’s final.

“Australians have responded with great enthusiasm and passion for this tournament and turned out in fantastic numbers,” Local Organising Committee chief executive Michael Brown said.

“We’ve seen football fans, multicultural communities and the wider sporting audience turning up for the games in every city and I want to thank them for their support.

“I am proud of the great spirit in which the football has been played and in which the fans have celebrated and supported their teams.”

Australia faces United Arab Emirates in Tuesday’s semi-final in Newcastle, while South Korea plays Iraq at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium tomorrow.