23 July 2005 Giresse Sacked Goergia have sacked Alain Giresse. Federation president Nodar Akhalkatsi said : "Giresse has broken one of the main conditions of his contract - to clinch one of two top places in our qualifying group." Former France midfielder Giresse was appointed national team coach in March 2004. 22 July 2005 Roma Lose Appeal Roma have lost their appeal against their transfer ban. FIFA banned Roma from signing any players for a season following the controversial signing of Philippe Mexes. Mexes claimed he was free to leave and joined Roma last season. Roma offered €4.5 million for Mexes but Auxerre claimed he was worth €18 million. FIFA ruled in favour of Auxerre and ordered Roma to pay them €8 million for the defender who has been an absolute disaster on the pitch. Roma can still sell players to ease their debts. Hiddink Takes Charge of Aussies Guus Hiddink has been appointed coach of Australia. Hiddink will continue with his role as PSV coach. Hiddink, who lead South Korea to the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, tried to play down expectations : "My coaching record is not a guarantee for success. The only thing I can contribute is my knowledge and experience but at the end the players have to do it. I'm not saying that all of a sudden the solution has come to Australia, but when we come together there are some players who maybe have their last chance to go to the World Cup, like the situation I experienced with the Dutch team in 1998. To be honest, the outside football world does not think that Australia has any chance of qualifying but I think this is a good challenge, in a very short time to try and make the impossible, possible. And that's qualifying for Germany 2006. Hopefully, we can make that miracle to go to Germany." 20 July 2005 Larsson Extends Contract Barcelona have extended the contract of 33 year old striker Henrik Larsson for a further 2 years until 2007. Chelsea Reach Out of Court Settlement Chelsea have agreed an out of court settlement with rubbish Spanish midfielder Enrique De Lucas. Chelsea terminated his contract in 2003 and he sued the club for €3.6 million. 19 July 2005 Papin Awarded Legion of Honour Former European football of the year Jean-Pierre Papin has been awarded the Legion d'Honneur for his charity work. Papin scored 30 goals in 54 matches for the French international side and made his name at Marseille before joining Milan. "I find it hard to find the words to describe the joy I felt when I received the two letters giving me the good news - one from sports minister Jean-François Lamour and one from Jacques Chirac himself. I'm almost embarrassed to have been given the same award as so many people who have contributed so much to France. The Ballon d'Or was for individual sporting achievement, whereas the Legion d'Honneur is a reward for all the work done by the 'Neuf du Coeur' (motor neurone disease) organisation that I set up with my wife ten years ago. That alone is worth all my goals." Cruz Azul Coach Kidnapped The Argentinean coach of Mexican club Cruz Azul has been kidnapped. 47 year old Ruben Omar Romano was forced out of his 4x4 by five men and into another car. More Problems for Simak Sparta Prague midfielder Jan Simak has booked himself into a three month programme to get treatment for alcoholism. Simak suffered from depression at previous club Leverkusen. 17 July 2005 Genoa & Venezia Charged With Sporting Fraud Genoa and Verona have been charged with sporting fraud after an investigation into match fixing was launched following Genoa's 3-2 victory over Venezia. Advocat New Coach of UAE The United Arab Emirates have unveiled sweaty bus driver Dick Advocat as their new coach. Advocat replaces fellow Dutchman Ad de Mos who was sacked in April.