In 2005–06, a transfer ban was placed on Roma owing to its signing of Philippe Mexès the previous season; although Roma signed him as a "free agent", he had an existing, binding contract with his former club in France, Auxerre. The ban, however, was temporarily lifted in August due to appeal process, and Roma was ultimately ordered to play Auxerre €7 million in compensation. That season, Luciano Spalletti was hired and began a reconstruction of the Roma squad. The club signed Rodrigo Taddei, Samuel Kuffour, Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos, Gianluca Comotto and Shabani Nonda on free transfers, and loaned in Houssine Kharja and Cesare Bovo. Meanwhile, troublesome duo Ivan Pelizzoli and Antonio Cassano were both released, the former in July to Reggina on a free transfer and the latter in January to Real Madrid for €5 million. Coach Spalletti explored the abilities of Mancini and Rodrigo Taddei in attack and Brazilian Doni as starting goalkeeper, and the team finished fifth in Serie A.