Soccer:Claude Makelele to retire after Euro

James Deuce

WC Moderator

Chelsea veteran Claude Makelele intends to retire from international duty at the end of France's qualifying campaign for Euro 2008.

The Blues midfielder announced after the World Cup final defeat to Italy that he would be hanging up his international boots.

But he continues to be selected by Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech, who has warned Makelele he could face a domestic ban if he ignored an international call-up.

That prompted a war of words between Domenech and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who claimed the player was being treated like a "slave".

Makelele agreed to continue playing for his country but now insists he will not be part of the France squad if they make it to the finals in two years' time.

"For me, it is clear," the 33-year-old said in L'Equipe. "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."

Makelele has played in both of France's Euro 2008 qualifiers, against Georgia and Italy, and been named in the squad for their next two games, against Scotland on October 7 and the Faroe Islands four days later.

Source: Fox Sports