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Ex-Marseille football boss Pape Diouf dies after contracting virus

He was president between 2005 and 2009 when Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 twice and reached two French Cup finals.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

Former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died aged 68 after contracting coronavirus, the club have announced, reports the BBC.

The Senegalese was president between 2005 and 2009 when Marseille finished second in Ligue 1 twice and reached two French Cup finals.

They went on to win a first French league title in 18 years in 2010.

"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.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) said: "Journalist, agent, president of Olympique de Marseille, Pape Diouf dedicated his whole life in service of football."

Read more of this report from the BBC.