ADELAIDE United will not field teams in the 2016 national premier league after Football Federation SA sanctioned restrictions contrary to Football Federation Australia guidelines.

Adelaide chairman Greg Griffin said that unless there was a sensible compromise, his club’s second-tier sides would not be playing under different rules.

The Reds’ development team won the local competitoin’s state league this year to win promotion to the premier league.

FFSA has ratified a decision that Adelaide United has two squads comprising of 30 players, no players over the age of 20, but have allowed a goalkeeper to be ‘‘over-age’’.

FFA guidelines have suggested two squads should comprise 39 players and three under-23 players.

A-League clubs that do have NPL clubs playing in other state federation competitions are operating by the FFA guidelines, Griffin said.

Adelaide also cannot field any junior sides like Sydney FC does from under 11s upwards in NSW. The Reds are also forced to play in any other colour kit except its traditional colours under FFSA rules.

Griffin emailed FFA board members and staff and leading owners of A-League clubs after the Adelaide United NPL decision was ratified.

“Every other state has accepted the guidelines,’’ Griffin said. “Our club is concerned that it can’t and shouldn’t be disadvantaged participating in the NPL.

“Clubs like Adelaide City and Raiders have been great in supporting our plight in helping development in SA but some other clubs aren’t.”

“We refuse to play under these conditions which means 39 kids don’t get to play for us next year. Every A-league team gets a 39-man squad plus three over-age players except us.”

Griffin also sent an email to FFA head of A-League Damian de Bohun claiming FFA should act to help save development in SA.

Griffin declared the NPL issue had been discussed at every A-league club chairman’s meeting for the past two years.

FFSA chief executive Michael Carter said he was disappointed the issue hadn’t been resolved by “sensible discussions” after ex United chief executive Michael Petrillo instigated discussions on the set up of the Reds NPL sides.

Carter said he thought Griffen’s position seemed “petulant’’.

“The participation of the AUFC youth team in the NPL is designed to be part of a development program for young players.

“A number of concessions have been made to enhance Adelaide United’s opportunity to play players who are 16 to 20 years of age.

“All such players are now eligible irrespective of the number of A-League games they have played. Further dispensation for an over-age goalkeeper was requested and that was granted.

“Rules relating to A-League clubs’ participation in local NPL competitions vary from state to state. This is not a case of one size fits all.

“It is about time Adelaide United paid some respect to the role local clubs and Football Federation SA play in the development of players.”

Carter said the national premier league was the state’s highest competition and clubs were “rightfully protective” of the integrity of the competition.