International

This does seem ridiculous, I could be completely wrong but it sounds like Makelele and Chelsea are being blackmailed because of this law. He has announced his retirement from international football and is being forced to play or be banned, I'm amazed this is happening. What happened to his or his clubs (who pay his wages) rights.

he says hes retired rom international footie - so - let him be retired. i dont think u shud force some1 2 play football if they dont want. he is older now and might find it harder to play as many games.he went off for chelsea cos he was 2 tired

Surely they can not make Makelele play, mainly players retire to pro-long there own career by giving them less games or give the opportunity to younger players to come through for the next major tournament. You would expect that Makelele will not play again for France ever let alone in Euro 2008.

Domenech is a disgrace:

"I spoke a lot with Claude and told him that he was not obliged to come and play with us, but also that it would be better if he did feel obliged to."

This can be paraphrased as: "Do what I tell you and you won't get banned".

If I were Makelele I'd agree to play and then go out and play the worst football of my life, just to tuck Domenech up. I guarantee he would respect Maka's retirement plans thereafter.

"If I were Makelele I'd agree to play and then go out and play the worst football of my life, just to tuck Domenech up. I guarantee he would respect Maka's retirement plans thereafter."

In all seriousness, is there any reason why he shouldn't go out and pop in two own goals before Domenech can sub him off? If they're calling each others' bluffs then I can't see how the manager can win.

"If you don't play I'll make them suspend you."
"Fair enough, but if I play then we'll be three-nil down after two minutes."
"Okay . . . never mind then."

This is mad! As much as i hate chelsea and makelele, and would love to see him get banend for whatever reason, i'm right behind him on this one. What benefit can domenech possibly get from forcing a player to play for his country against his will. If i were makelele, i'd go out there and stand still in the centre circle until substituted. The fifa laws may be on domenech's side, but i can't imagine many people in france think this is a reasonable way to behave. I can understand international managers getting narky about players just withdrawing from friendlies cos they can't be bothered or because there's pressure from their club manager, but this is totally different. He's chosen to retire from international football, what right does domenech have to tell him otherwise.

Is there not also a possible civil legal issue of restraint of trade here and freedom to work? I normally hate the idea of players taking things to courts but this could be an exception.

I think we'll find that this is made-up. There's no way that Domenech will attempt to force Makalele out of retirement like this.

Think this is usual tabloid trash.

if i was makelele, i would just go for boomers every time i got the ball.

and i would have a white t-shirt with "roast beefs ftw!" for after the match

damn french

This is ridicoulus.

can steve McClaren suspend shearer and keegan, both are refusing to play for england