Former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died aged 68 after contracting coronavirus, the club have announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Senegalese was president between 2005 and 2009 when Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 twice and reached two French Cup finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They went on to win a first French league title in 18 years in 2010.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Pape will remain in the hearts of the Marseillais forever, as one of the great architects in the club’s history,” Marseille posted on Twitter.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) said: “Journalist, agent, president of Olympique de Marseille, Pape Diouf dedicated his whole life in service of football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “A member of the LFP administrative council from September 2007 to June 2009, Pape Diouf will be remembered as a charismatic and passionate director.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Former France and Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse played for Marseille when Diouf was in charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Today French football has lost a great man,” he posted on social media.<\/a> “My sadness is great today. Rest in peace.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Manchester City’s French defender Benjamin Mendy described his “sadness” at hearing the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n