The former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died. On Tuesday the French club revealed the 68-year-old has been suffering from coronavirus.
Diouf was being treated in a hospital in Senegal, his country of birth, after contracting the virus.
A statement on Marseille’s Twitter account read: “Olympique de Marseille learned with great sadness of the death of Pape Diouf. Pape will remain forever in the hearts of Marseillais as one of the great craftsmen of the history of the club. Our condolences to his family and loved ones.”
L’Olympique de Marseille a appris avec beaucoup de tristesse le décès de Pape Diouf.
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) March 31, 2020
Pape restera à jamais dans le cœur des Marseillais comme l’un des grands artisans de l’histoire du club.
Toutes nos condoléances à sa famille et ses proches.🖤 pic.twitter.com/w9KyE45JMA
Diouf became the first black president of a first-tier European club when he took the position at Marseille in 2005. Previously he had been a journalist and football agent, with Marcel Desailly, Basile Boli, William Gallas, Samir Nasri and Didier Drogba among his clients.
