Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Euro stop for Makelele

01 Oct 2006 - 08:11:57

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Chelsea's France midfielder Claude Makelele has signalled that he will attempt to retire from international football again before the Euro 2008 finals.

The 33-year-old Blues ace has already ended his Les Bleus career on two occasions, but continues to be called up by coach Raymond Domenech and has to carry on playing, rather than incurring a domestic ban.

Makelele told L'Equipe: "For me, it is clear, I will not be going to the Euros.

"I believe by participating in the qualification campaign, I am fulfilling a reasonable objective.

"What I want is for France to qualify so that I can stop playing in peace."

Blues boss Jose Mourinho had reacted angrily to Domenech's decision to continue calling up the defensive midfielder, saying that Makelele was being treated like a slave.