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Michel Zen-Ruffinen

b. 1959

Swiss lawyer

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About Michel Zen-Ruffinen

Born 1959. Michel Zen-Ruffinen is a Swiss lawyer, sports official and association football referee.

Michel Zen-Ruffinen (born 24 April 1959) is a Swiss football administrator. He served as the Secretary General of FIFA, the international governing body of the sport, from 1998 to 2002.

Zen-Ruffinen is a lawyer specializing in sports law and has been a football referee. His career at FIFA career began in 1986, and he was subsequently appointed head of its legal department by Sepp Blatter, then general secretary of the Association. He was then appointed Blatter's deputy, and became president of FIFA. He has been nominated for the post of general secretary.

On 3 May 2002, at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Federation, Zen-Ruffinen presented a report which put forward serious accusations against President Blatter. Five of the seven vice-presidents demanded that Blatter resign, but the Committee preferred that he submit a written explanation on all eight charges made against him. Soon, due to significant disagreements with FIFA leadership, Zen-Ruffinen was forced to leave his position.

In 2007, he was appointed head of the Association of Football Agents (AFA).

In 2015, he expressed his intentions to run for the FIFA post of president, but did not run.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Positions held
Secretary General of FIFA
Employers
FIFA
Also known as
Michel Zen Ruffinenn

People in Michel Zen-Ruffinen's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Michel Zen-Ruffinen's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Michel Zen-Ruffinen?

Swiss lawyer

When was Michel Zen-Ruffinen born?

Michel Zen-Ruffinen was born on 24 April 1959 in Canton of Valais.

What is Michel Zen-Ruffinen's occupation?

Michel Zen-Ruffinen is a lawyer, sports official and association football referee.

What nationality is Michel Zen-Ruffinen?

Michel Zen-Ruffinen is Swiss.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Michel Zen-Ruffinen

· Wikidata: Q23042975

· DBpedia: Michel Zen-Ruffinen

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Michel Zen-Ruffinen. https://biography.guide/michel-zen-ruffinen/

MLA: "Michel Zen-Ruffinen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/michel-zen-ruffinen/.

Chicago: "Michel Zen-Ruffinen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/michel-zen-ruffinen/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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