Makelele could face domestic ban

[DmanDmythDledge]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/5284500.stm

Don't see how this one works. He's announced that he's retired from international football but the French manager is still forcing him to play. Surely this doesn't count in situations like this.

[superfrank]

I think it's absolutely ridiculous and if FIFA enforce any ban we really should worry about the future of football.

First they get rid of celebrations and now they trying to force players to play when they don't want to anymore.

[gspain]

This is potentially bad news for us.

G14 have been looking for payment for palyers on International duty for awhile now. The last thing FIFA/UEFA need is awar with the major clubs and particularly not over a stupid issue. Eventhough Chelsea aren't in G14 they will still have clout.

Players have to be allowed retire from International football. Anyway do you really want a player in your squad who doesn't want to play.

[NeilMcD]

Chelsea's Claude Makelele has tried to calm down the row over his call-up to the France squad, despite announcing his international retirement.

Makelele faces a domestic ban if he fails to report for France and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said the midfielder was being treated as a "slave".

But the 33-year-old Makelele told French TV station: "My coach's words are a bit too strong.

"He's probably gone too far. But his disappointment is logical."

Makelele came out of retirement to help France qualify for the 2006 World Cup and thought his game in the final defeat to Italy would be his last.


We would like to stress that this is not a club versus country issue; we are not seeking conflict with the FFF

Chelsea FC statement

But France coach Raymond Domenech insist he wants Makelele in his squad for two upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Georgia and Italy.

He has made his stance clear to both the player and his club and Makelele would miss two games apiece for each France game he refuses to play.

"There was an agreement after the World Cup that I would retire," said Makelele.

"But I spoke with the French team coach and he believes I am still able to bring something extra to the team.

"I don't blame him (Domenech) for anything and I will go back and play with France."

He added: "This is a delicate situation because I will play more matches and I will be more tired.

"But I am in the list and I have to go. The French team is still something important for me.

"Everyone knows me and I am a professional, I do my job and even if my club is not happy I will honour my call-ups.


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"So I will go to Clairefontaine (the France training camp) and I will be there for the two matches. I consider it normal to wear the colours of my country."

Mourinho's outburst came after Chelsea's win over Blackburn on Sunday.

"Makelele is not a football player - Makelele is a slave," he said.

"He's played the biggest game you can, the World Cup final, and now wants to retire but the coach told us if he is not playing for France, he is not playing for Chelsea," said Mourinho.

"We know the rules. You are a slave, you have no human rights."

Chelsea are set to hold further talks with the French Football Federation about the matter.

"Chelsea believe 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," the club said in a statement.

"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."