Mourinho: Makelele 'a slave'

Jose Mourinho claims France are treating Claude Makelele like 'a slave'.

Jose Mourinho claims France are treating Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele like 'a slave'.

Makelele has been called up for France's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Georgia and Italy, despite retiring from international football after the World Cup.

Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech expects to be able to pick the midfielder for the games and has threatened Makelele with a club ban, if he does not turn up.

Mourinho is upset with the situation and is adamant the 33-year-old should have the right to retire from international football.

If Makelele fails to make himself available for selection, he could be banned for four Chelsea matches - a scenario which has enraged his club boss.

"The situation is, in my opinion, unbelievable," Mourinho told Sky Sports 1.

"I think Makelele is not a football player, Makelele is a slave.

"He played in the biggest game a player can play in his international career - he played in the World Cup final.

"He wants to retire and the national team coach has told us very objectively, very objectively, if he's not playing for France, he's not playing for Chelsea, he's suspended for Chelsea.

"We know the rules, we don't need him to tell us the rules.

"But the player wrote a letter to their federation and told the manager he doesn't want to play for France.

"He (Domenech) has been very objective and said you have to play Georgia and Italy. If you are not playing in those two matches, you will be suspended for four matches for Chelsea.

"You are a slave, you have no human rights, you cannot choose. You don't have the right to choose? No liberty, no freedom, no democracy, no human rights.

"Two matches you don't play for France, then you don't play for four for Chelsea, he has to go.

"The rules are there, the law is there. He doesn't want to go, but he has to go."

Meanwhile, Chelsea have issued a statement to reveal their intention to try and resolve the matter amicably with the French Football Federation.

"Chelsea Football Club will be making further representations to the French Football Federation, after discussions with Claude Makelele, regarding his desire to retire from international football," read the statement on the club's official website.

"Chelsea FC believes that a player should have the freedom to choose about his own international career, especially in the case of Claude who has served his country at the highest level and with distinction for several years.

"This view was expressed to the French national coach Raymond Domenech in a meeting last week at our training ground.

"We understand the letter of the law is very clear on this subject, and the ramifications for Claude and Chelsea if he is called up but does not play.

"We would like to stress that this is not a club versus country issue, we are not seeking conflict with the FFF. This issue is about supporting the wishes of one of our players whose past commitment to his country cannot be called into question."