The first ever black President of Olympique de Marseille, Pape Diouf has died at the age of 68, from the deadly coronavirus.
The death of the Senegalese was announced on Tuesday 31 March 2020, by the French club and it comes after he was rushed to the hospital after testing positive to the virus.
Diouf before his unfortunate death, was being treated in a hospital in Senegal, the country of his 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.”
Pape 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.
statement at lfp.fr read: “The Ligue de Football Professionnel has learned this evening with great sadness of the death of Pape Diouf at the age of 68. Journalist, agent, president of Olympique de Marseille from 2005 to 2009, Pape Diouf dedicated his whole life in service of football.
“A member of the LFP administrative council from September 2007 to June 2009, Pape Diouf will be remembered as a charismatic and passionate director.
“In this moment of immense sadness for French football, the LFP offers its condolences to his family and those close to him, and to Olympique de Marseille.”