On Tuesday, Pape Diouf, the former president of the French soccer team, Olympique de Marseille has passed away.
Diouf had coronavirus before his passing.
“It is with great sadness that Olympique de Marseille learned of the death of Pape Diouf,” the team said via statement. “Pape will remain in the hearts of the Marseillais forever, as one of the great architects in the club’s history.
“We send our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
He was Marseille’s president from 2005-2009 and the first black president of a major European club. Marseille is in Ligue 1.
During Diouf’s time, the club twice came in as Ligue 1 runner-ups. They were also finalists in two French Cups. The moves Diouf made set the team up for future greatness as they won the league a year after he left
The Senegalese-born soccer leader was an architect that had the love of players and his peers.
“Journalist, agent, president of Olympique de Maseille from 2005-2009, Pape Diouf his whole life in service of football,” the Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) said via statement.
Diouf was also a player agent and journalist. He represented stars like Didier Drogba and Marcel Desailly among others.
