Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele said he had little choice than to accept his France [Images] call-up for the Euro 2008 [Images] qualifiers against Georgia on September 2 and Italy [Images] four days later.

"My name is on the squad list and I have to go there," Makelele was quoted as saying by sports daily L'Equipe on Monday. "Playing for France means a lot to me.

"I'm a professional before anything. I'm doing my job and even if my club don't agree with it, I'm going to accept this call-up."

Angry Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said on Sunday that his player is being treated like "a slave" by France coach Raymond Domenech, who wants him to continue even though Makelele expressed his wish to retire from internationals.

Makelele, 33, came out of international retirement in August 2005 to help France qualify for the World Cup in Germany [Images].

He won his 50th cap in the final defeat by Italy in Berlin last month.

TRICKY SITUATION

"I can understand his [Mourinho's] disappointment. It was agreed I was to stop playing for France after the World Cup," Makelele said.

"But I've talked to the coach [Domenech] and he believes I can still be useful to the team. I can't blame him for that but it's a rather tricky situation. I'll have to play more games and I'll end up more tired."

Mourinho said: "Makelele is not a football player, Makelele is a slave.

"He's played in the biggest game you can, the World Cup final, and now he wants to retire but the coach told us if he does not play for France, he won't be playing for Chelsea," Mourinho told Sky Sports after Sunday's 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Under FIFA rules, if he refuses to play for France in next month's Euro 2008 qualifiers he can be suspended from playing for Chelsea.

Trapped in a crossfire, Makelele said Mourinho's words are a tad harsh.

"He is going a little bit too far as his words are slightly different when he talks to me," the Frenchman said.

"Now I'm going to go to Clairefontaine and I'll be there for the two games. It's a duty to wear the colours of your country."

The French players will assemble at the training camp in the Paris suburbs later on Monday.

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