Marseille former President Pape Diouf
Marseille former club president Pape Diouf who contracted the COVID 19 virus is confirmed died. The Senegalese ruled the club as president for four years. He was president from 2005 to 2009 and helped the club finish second in Ligue 1 twice and reached two French Cup finals. Pape Diouf died at the age of 63 of the global illness coronavirus he is the first Marseille sports person to die of the virus.
The club also won the first French league title in 18 years in 2010. Pape Diouf will be remembered for his contribution to Marseille as a club and the fans will forever have him in their hearts. The club posted on their social media saying “Pape remain in the hearts of the Marseillais forever, as one of the great architects in the club’s history.”
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) said: “Journalist, agent, president of Olympique de Marseille, 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.”
Former France and Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse who played for Marseille when Diouf was president of the club also posted on his social media saying “Today French football has lost a great man,” “My sadness is great today. Rest in peace.”
Also france international and Manchester City’s left back Benjamin Mendy expressed his grieve and sadness when he heard the news of his death. “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,” Benjamin Mendy posted on his Twitter account.