Linsi steps down as FIFA general secretary

Urs Linsi, FIFA’s general secretary the last five years, is leaving world soccer’s governing body.

Linsi, 55, took over following the departure of Michel Zen-Ruffinen in 2002. Zen-Ruffinen accused FIFA President Sepp Blatter of mismanaging FIFA’s finances and accusing him of conflicts. A criminal complaint was filed against Blatter but dropped after he won re-election.

Zen-Ruffinen himself had succeeded Blatter, who became an international celebrity in his role of general secretary for his conducting the World Cup draw.

Zen-Ruffinen followed in the same style, but Linsi, a former banker, was more reserved.

Markus Kattner, FIFA’s finance director, will be its acting general secretary.

FIFA will reorganize itself for the period up to 2010 when the World Cup is held in South Africa.

The executive committee will decide on the appropriate organizational structure at its meeting on June 27.