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Ex-Marseille President Pape Diouf Dies from Coronavirus


Wed 01 Apr 2020 | 02:56 PM
Mohamed Helba

Marseille Club has announced on Wednesday that its former president Pape Diouf has died aged 68 after contracting coronavirus.

The Senegalese was the chairman of the French club between 2005 and 2009 when Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 twice and reached two French Cup finals.

The French club managed to lift their first French league title in 18 years in 2010.

On Marseille's official Twitter account, the French club sent condolences to their former president.

"Pape will remain in the hearts of the Marseille's forever, as one of the great architects in the club's history," Marseille posted on Twitter.

The  Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which is the governing body in France mourned Diouf's death, saying that he spent his whole life in serving football.

"Journalist, agent, president of Olympique de Marseille, Pape Diouf dedicated his whole life in service of football," LFP said according to BBC.

"A member of the LFP administrative council from September 2007 to June 2009, Pape Diouf will be remembered as a charismatic and passionate director," it added.

Many football star sent farewell to the Senegalese on their official social media accounts.

Former France and Liverpool striker  Djibril Cisse, who played for Marseille when Diouf was in charge, mourned the Senegalese death, saying, " Today French football has lost a great man. My sadness is great today. Rest in peace."

Manchester City's French defender Benjamin Mendy expressed his sadness over hearing the news.

"A great president but above all a huge man, who always worthily represented Marseille and its values. A great loss for French football and the African continent. Rest in peace," he tweeted.