Makelele Is a Slave

After the past Sunday, it's hard to believe that Jose Mourinho and Raymond Domenech will ever speak to one another. It's not like they had ever been best friends anyway, but the Makelele episode really heated up the atmosphere at Chelsea. Despite of the Frenchman announcing his retirement, Domenech - France's coach - obliged the Chelsea player to come play for his national team.

Surely, Jose Mourinho is not happy when he sees one of his players being treated "like a slave". And that's exactly how the Portuguese coach put it. Domenech's and French Football Federation's decision is both appalling and unjust. And Mourinho made sure those responsible would know that.

"Makelele is not a football player; Makelele is a slave. He's played in the biggest game you can, the World Cup final, and now he wants to retire, but the coach told us if he does not play for France, he won't be playing for Chelsea. We know the rules. You are a slave, you have no human rights. We have no choice. The rules are there, the law is there. It is easy to understand, there is no doubtful law. If you don't play one match for France you are suspended for two for Chelsea. If he misses two games for France he misses four for Chelsea", said Mourinho to Sky Sports.

The situation is somehow the same with the one in 2005, in which Lilian Thuram was playing Makelele's part. The Juventus defender was forced to come back from international retirement by the same Domenech, alongside Zidane and Claude Makelele.

When questioned about his decision to name Makelele inside France's squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers, Domenech answered: "For me, it would be unthinkable to see a great player playing for a great club and not playing for his national team. A player who refuses to accept a selection is liable to a two-match suspension".