Former Marseille president Pape Diouf dies at 68 after contracting coronavirus

Former Marseille president Pape Diouf has died aged 68 after contracting the new coronavirus, his football club announced on Tuesday

Diouf, who was born in Chad but had French and Senegalese citizenship made history by becoming the first black president of a top-tier European football club when he took charge of Marseille in 2005.

He was hospitalised in Senegal after contracting the virus there and had been due to leave for Nice earlier on Tuesday to be treated in France, but a sharp deterioration in his health -- which saw him placed on a respirator -- prevented him from boarding the plane.

 A statement from the French club read: “Olympique de Marseille learned with great sadness of the death of Pape Diouf. Pape will remain forever in the hearts of Marseillais as one of the great craftsmen of the history of the club. Our condolences to his family and loved ones."

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

— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_Officiel) March 31, 2020