Mourinho rapped for 'slave' remark

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PARIS, France -- France coach Raymond Domenech claimed Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho used inappropriate language when describing Claude Makelele as "a slave".

In an angry outburst last weekend, Mourinho said Domenech was treating Makelele "like a slave" and violating his human rights by forcing him to play for the national team.

"To use that term is staggering," Domenech told French tv station TF1 on Sunday. "There are people who died to free themselves of slavery. To use this term is insulting."

Domenech and Mourinho have been at odds because the France coach insists on picking Makelele even though the Chelsea midfielder has twice stated he wanted to retire from international soccer.

"I did not give Makelele an option. I imposed his return," Domenech said earlier this week, adding that he will keep picking Makelele as long as he considers him good enough.

France defender Lilian Thuram said Mourinho does not realize what he is saying.

"I don't think he understands what slavery means," Thuram said. "If he compares Makelele's situation with slavery, that simply means he does not understand slavery.

"He didn't say it because he is stupid but merely because he doesn't know the meaning of this word.

"This has nothing to do with soccer. Mourinho made his comments to be offensive. I really don't see how Claude's situation can be compared to that of a slave."

Asked what he thought of Makelele being included in the squad, Thuram said: "The situation is clear. Domenech had the right to call up Claude for these matches."

Thuram had the same experience when Domenech forced him out of international retirement to help France qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

"Last year, Domenech chose to bring me back into the squad against my will, too. Apparently he has made the same choice with Claude. He has the law on his side", Thuram said.

Under FIFA rules, if Makelele had refused to play for France he could have been suspended from playing for Chelsea.

The 33-year-old midfielder confirmed on Thursday he had wanted to retire from international football after the World Cup but pledged to do his best for France if selected.

Domenech picked him for France's 3-0 win over Georgia in Tblisi on Saturday. He came off in the 58th minute with a sore ankle, however.

France's medical staff are to decide whether he will be fit to face Italy on Wednesday, a spokesman said on Sunday.

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