The African sports world bereaved by the death of Pape Diouf

Pape Diouf, former president of the Marseille club, died of the Covid-19 at the age of 68. AFP Photos

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Pape Diouf, the former president of Olympique de Marseille, died in Dakar at the age of 68. Many personalities deplore his death, notably the Senegalese president.

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A plane " was ready " Tuesday, March 31 for its medical evacuation to the south of France. But Pape Diouf died before, in the infectious diseases department of Fann hospital, in Dakar. President Macky Sall paid tribute to " a great figure in sport, a great committed leader and the eminence of football ." For the Senegalese Minister of Sports Matar Ba, it was " A model In particular because he was " the only black man to be president of a large European [football] club ".

In the avalanche of reactions too, that of Aliou Cisse, coach of the Lions of Teranga, the Senegalese national football team, who deplores the loss of a " friend, a big brother, an uncle, a father " . Pope was a man of principles and convictions. I'm losing a confidant and support, ”he wrote on Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/0upRfEMbpu

Aliou Cissé Official (@coachalioucisse) March 31, 2020

The singer Youssou N'Dour speaks to him of a " symbol ", " accomplished journalist ", " appreciated agent ", and " majestic leader ".

On the antenna of RFI, Joseph-Antoine Bell spoke on the death of Pape Diouf who was his agent, but especially a close friend. He explains the " shock " at the announcement of his death when he had just learned that the former president of OM was sick. He also takes the time to retrace their journeys which have crossed paths for years.

Joseph-Antoine Bell looks back on Pope Diouf's journey

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Death of Pape Diouf, former president of OM, killed by coronavirus