Former FIFA chief Zen-Ruffinen to become agents' boss

LONDON (Reuters) - Michel Zen-Ruffinen, the former general secretary of FIFA, has been appointed chairman of the Association of Football Agents (AFA), the organisation said on Monday.

Chris Heaton-Harris, a British member of the European Parliament and a qualified referee, has been named as vice-chairman.

Zen-Ruffinen was FIFA general secretary from 1998 until 2002 when he left the world governing body after being involved in an unsuccessful bid to topple president Sepp Blatter.

While he was at FIFA he was responsible for the drafting of the current FIFA Agents Regulations. He has been working as an international sports lawyer for the last five years.

Zen-Ruffinen said in a statement: "I intend to contribute to create a better understanding between all parties active within the football market; the agents are now truly professional managers and their image has to change.

"I hope to be instrumental in that process."

The AFA have a number of outstanding issues with the English FA over new transfer regulations due to be introduced this year.