FORMER Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite has led the outcry over a decision by the A-League club to withdraw four players from the upcoming Olyroos squad.

The Adelaide Advertiser’s Val Migliaccio quoted a letter sent by Reds chairman Greg Griffin to FFA, claiming the club was under “no obligation to release its players as requested and will not do so.”

George Blackwood, Paul Izzo, Ben Warland, Jordan O’Doherty and Riley McGree were all called up to the Under-23 national team by coach Josep Gombau.

Josep Gombau called up five Adelaide United players into the Under-23 national team squad. Source: Getty Images

Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin has withdrawn the players. Source: News Corp Australia

However all but McGree, who is due to sign for Club Brugge in Belgium, will not take part in the AFC Championship qualifiers later this month.

This sparked Djite to speak out, calling the decision “scary”, saying he could not comprehend how his beloved club came to the decision to deny youngsters a chance to represent their country.

I cannot comprehend that my beloved @AdelaideUnited would deny such quality young players the chance to represent their country @FFA #Scary https://t.co/x9wjdnBWmX — Bruce Djite (@BDjite) July 5, 2017

Djite, who made over 150 appearances for Adelaide, wasn’t the only person criticising the decision with fans labelling it “despicable” and “embarrassing”.

Despicable, disgraceful, selfish & childish from those that make such ludicrous & appalling decisions at Adelaide United. #ALeague #Olyroos https://t.co/lBBrZ156po — Ryan Steele (ライアン) (@Steelinho) July 5, 2017

Hrustic impressed Gombau and then gets picked by Socceroos. Why would young Reds want to go into Olyroos camp? #Sarcasm #ALeague https://t.co/YicpnmgMMf — Loukas Founten📝🎥⚽️ (@loukasfounten) July 5, 2017

Fox Sports football presenter Adam Peacock also questioned Adelaide’s stance.

So punish your players for issues with the FFA?

How little. https://t.co/R2uGBwRKzy — Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) July 5, 2017

The decision from Adelaide comes just days after their general manager of football, Ante Kovacevic, called the qualification tournament “mickey mouse” – with Australia due to face Brunei, Singapore and hosts Myanmar in a bid to reach the Under-23 Championships in China next year.

“We always try to get our young players to get pushed into the national team and then we get punished for, let’s be honest, a joke of a tournament,’’ Kovacevic told The Adelaide Advertiser.

“Why are we playing an Olympic (age) team, when this isn’t even the Olympics?

Riley McGree (C) is due to leave Adelaide United. Source: News Corp Australia

Bruce Djite won the Premiership and Championship with Adelaide. Source: News Corp Australia

“I don’t see the benefit to anybody, you see Germany are playing their younger players like we saw at the recent Confederations Cup and they won.

“So why are we playing our older players? They could have taken an under-20 team to play these nations (in Asia). This is about results.”