Rangers were wrong to transfer list their Australian captain Craig Moore for wanting to play in this year's Olympic tournament in Athens, FIFA [ Images ] president Sepp Blatter [ Images ] said on Friday.

Rangers put Moore on the transfer list on Thursday after the defender opted to play at next month's Olympics [ Images ] instead of in the Scottish club's Champions League [ Images ] qualifying campaign.

"To participate in the Olympic Games [ Images ] is an honour. It is an honour for the player, but it should also be an honour for the club," Blatter told a news conference in Sydney [ Images ].

"The experience would benefit both the player and the club."

The 28-year-old will also miss several premier league matches in August to feature as one of three over-age players for his country at the under-23 soccer tournament in Athens.

Australia [ Images ]n Soccer Association chief executive John O'Neill told a news conference: "It's a great pity that Rangers chose to penalise him for his commitment to play for Australia."