Posted by The football world was thrown into a state of shock and sorrow following the death of former Olympique Marseille president Mababa ‘Pape’ Diouf, who passed away on Tuesday (31 March 2020) in Dakar, Senegal, after contracting the deadly coronavirus. He was 68.
A man of many parts, Diouf rose to become the first black president of a top European club, leading French side Olympique Marseille in 2005.
He started as a journalist and later as a football agent with the likes of Marcel Desailly, Basile Boli, Khalilou Fadiga, Samir Nasri and Didier Drogba among his long list of clients.
Diouf was a regular guest at the Africa Cup of Nations often as a co-commentator or analyst.
Here are some tributes;
It is with great sadness that Olympique de Marseille learned of the death of Pape Diouf.
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. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/oASMjZJ8rI
— Olympique de Marseille (@OM_English) March 31, 2020
Journalist, player agent, first black President of a french #football club : Pape Diouf was an extraordinary man and his life speaks for him. He'll stay as a glory for our sport and a pride for #Africa. I wish to extend sincere condolences to his family and friends.
— Ahmad Ahmad (@AAhmad_CAF) April 1, 2020
Pape Diouf, ancien dirigeant de l’Olympique de Marseille, est décédé à l’âge de 68 ans, au Sénégal, des suites du coronavirus. https://t.co/SBOjGTHOK1
— FFF (@FFF) March 31, 2020
🙏 Pape Diouf, un président, un vrai : https://t.co/PfyaptIBf7 pic.twitter.com/G92cGVBpaW
— France Football (@francefootball) March 31, 2020
Former Marseille boss Pape Diouf dies at 68 from coronavirus https://t.co/SiueyjOzsz pic.twitter.com/pz4croeJsz
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) April 1, 2020
🙏🏾 Mané, Eto'o, Habib Beye… le monde du football africain pleure Pape Diouf 🇸🇳🌹❤#RIP https://t.co/zggxyjmoVZ
— Orange Football Club (@Orange_FootClub) April 1, 2020
⚫️ Everyone at AS Monaco wishes to express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Pape Diouf following the passing of a great man of French football. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/mOvji1sf8Q
— AS Monaco EN (@AS_Monaco_EN) April 1, 2020
😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/8qm0bijnJB
— Djibril Cisse (@DjibrilCisse) March 31, 2020
Beaucoup de tristesse en apprenant le décès de Pape Diouf… Un grand Président mais surtout un immense Homme, qui aura toujours dignement représenté l'OM et ses valeurs. Une grande perte pour le foot français et le continent africain. Reposez en paix 💙 pic.twitter.com/3lqI7VksOv
— Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) March 31, 2020
Pape a été mon ange gardien pendant toute ma carrière, un très bel ami.
Sa voix unique me manquera à jamais 💙🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/Q7badrw3dV
— Basile Boli (@BasileBoli_) March 31, 2020
MON PAPA,GRAND PERE ,MON MENTOR ❤️🤲🏽RIP PAPE DIOUF pic.twitter.com/3niiMvzyBt
— André Ayew (@AyewAndre) April 1, 2020
Absolutely heartbroken 💔
Rest in Peace Pape Diouf – My uncle, father, grandfather & godfather.
My mentor 🙏🏾 I can’t thank you enough for all you did for me, Andre, my father and my family. Today is one of the saddest days of my life to hear of your passing. 💔💔 xx pic.twitter.com/vPIVnv3MkP— Jordan Ayew (@jordan_ayew9) April 1, 2020
Peu de personnes dans le monde du football m’ont touché ou on eu un impact comme tu as pu l’avoir dans ma vie ou dans ma carrière. Tu as toujours été un mentor, tu as été mon premier agent, tu as été mon président… https://t.co/NXbPUxwzlj
— Samir Nasri Official (@SamNasri19) March 31, 2020