Lilian Thuram attacked Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho for using the term 'slave' to describe Claude Makelele's situation after being called up to play for France despite his international retirement. "Mourinho mustn't know what slavery is," Thuram said as reported by Sky Sports. The Portuguese manager made the comment after France coach Raymond Domenech picked Makelele, who announced hanging his international boots, for the Euro 2008 qualifier in Georgia. "You have to excuse Mourinho, he doesn't know. What shocks me is to use that word in that context," Thuram acquiesced. Thuram, who recently joined Barcelona from Juventus, was quick to admonish Mourinho, claiming the coach would never have used the word if he understood its connotations. "If Mourinho can use a word like this, it means that he doesn't know what he is talking about," the 34-year-old defender added.
Mourinho "This has nothing to do with soccer. I really don't see how Claude's situation can be compared to that of a slave." Thuram had a similar experience with Domenech during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, where the France coach threatened to invoke FIFA's strict rules for any player who refuses to play for his national team. Thuram, like Makelele, chose to answer Domenech's call and play for the French squad. "Last year, Domenech chose to bring me back into the squad against my will too," he said. "Apparently he has made the same choice with Claude. He has the law on his side." France will host Italy in their second Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday.
