Former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died in his native Senegal after contracting coronavirus, the Ligue 1 club confirmed on Tuesday evening.
Diouf, 68, born in Chad to Senegalese parents was a high-profile journalist and agent in Europe before historically becoming the first black president of a first-tier European club.
Among his clients were Marcel Desailly, William Gallas, Samir Nasri and Didier Drogba and during his stint at the French club between 2005 and 2009, they won the Intertoto Cup.
L’Olympique de Marseille a appris avec beaucoup de tristesse le décès de Pape Diouf.
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
"The Ligue de Football Professionnel has learned this evening with great sadness of the death of Pape Diouf at the age of 68," LFP said in an official statement.
"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."
Plus aucune place pour la rivalité ce soir. Très triste d’apprendre le décès d’un monument de notre football, mes condoléances à la famille Diouf.
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) March 31, 2020
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