Domenech hits back at Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has been hit with a fresh blast from coach Raymond Domenech and defender Lilian Thuram as France refuse to back down in the row over the selection of midfielder Claude Makelele.

Chelsea insist they will not become embroiled in another unsavoury round of verbal sparring with the World Cup finalists, but Domenech and Thuram attacked the Portuguese coach for using the word 'slave' when talking about France's refusal to accept the player's retirement wishes. Domenech now claims that Mourinho's use of the term 'slave' is both 'staggering and insulting'.

Domenech declared: "To use that term is staggering. There are people who died to free themselves of slavery. To use this term is insulting. I did not give Makelele an option, I imposed his return."

Makelele played a part in France's 3-0 win over Georgia on Saturday but defender Thuram was equally unimpressed with Mourinho's vocabulary.

Thuram said: "If Mourinho can use a word like this, it means that he doesn't know what he is talking about.

"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 don't see how Claude's situation can be compared to that of a slave.

"The situation is clear. Domenech had the right to call up Claude for these matches."

Thuram, like Makelele, was also forced out of international retirement by Domenech to help the country qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany.

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