Leeds and Viduka, 28, claims he was unfit with a hamstring injury.
The Australian Soccer Association asked FIFA to issue Viduka a five-day ban, ruling him out of Saturday’s clash at Manchester United.
Bruce had to let Stan Lazaridis join up with the Socceroos despite his team having two games in four days next week.
Bruce said: "Sometimes so-called bigger clubs get away with not letting players play internationals if it suits them.
"It’s one rule for one, another rule for others."