Mourinho was infuriated that France coach Raymond Domenech went ahead and picked Makelele for the Euro 2008 qualifier in Georgia despite the Chelsea midfielder retiring from the international scene after the World Cup.

"Mourinho musn't know what slavery is," the Barcelona star told a press conference at Les Bleus' training headquarters south of Paris on Sunday.

The 34-year-old defender added: "You have to excuse Mourinho, he doesn't know. What shocks me is to use that word in that context.

"It's not a question of being stupid or not stupid. It's not clear to Mourinho - he considers it feasible to use that term. He wants to shock more than anything. But it's not the word to use."

Thuram, who earned his 122nd cap in the 3-0 win in Tbilisi, said the situation regarding Makelele who came off with an ankle problem after an hour's play, was clear.

"I'm happy he was there on the pitch with us," said the former Juventus defender. "The last time I came back (to the France team in August 2005) the coach told me he had things to do. He's made the same choice with Claude here."

Domenech had threatened to invoke FIFA's strict rules on any player refusing to answer his country's call and Thuram commented: "The coach has this weapon at his disposal, I don't know whether it's a good thing or not."

Thuram meanwhile said he has no plans to hang up his boots. "I will stop when someone tells me to, when I can see that there are others who would be better," said Thuram.